In Different Camps 1943-1945

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My Childhood 1929-1938  |  Life Changes 1938-1943  |  The Deportation 1943  |  In Different Camps 1943-1945  |  Liberated 1945  |  (Complete Biography)

I was there.

In the ghetto at Theresienstadt, the Jews were ordered to wear a six-pointed yellow star on their outer garments.

Klara, her mother and sister, were taken to a barracks called Hamburg. Jewish women from many different countries lived there. The father and brothers were taken to another building.

The conditions in the ghetto were harsh; many became ill and died. One of them was Klara's father.

Klara Tixell (1929), Denmark

Klara Tixell (1929), Denmark

Consider here the time Klara spent in Theresienstadt

Arrival at Theresienstadt

Klara talks about the arrival at Theresienstadt.

M4-1 Klara Tixell

A prisoner distributes food to Jews that just arrived to Theresienstadt from the Netherlands.

M4-2 Klara Tixell

The Germans took advantage of the walled city of Theresienstadt and created a ghetto for the Jews. In the autumn of 1942 the entire city was turned into a concentration camp under SS control. The map shows an overview of the fortress.

1) Listen to Klara as she talks about the camp that she and her family were brought to. Answer the questions.

  • 1a. Klara tells about the postcards they should write to their friends and how it was all about propaganda. What does she mean by that?

  • 1b. Who were the people in the camp that made sure that everything was well organized? Can you think of any reason why they went along with such a task?

  • 1c. Klara tells about what happened to her father. How do you react to the things she says?

  • 1d. In 1944 Kamma sent packages to Klara in the camp. How could she know that Klara was there and what does Klara mean by saying that "it was brave of her"?

Life in the Camp

Klara talks about the life in the camp.

2) Listen to Klara as she talks about life in the camp and look at the video clip from the propaganda film that was produced about Theresienstadt. Then answer the questions.

  • 2a. When the Red Cross visited the camp someone whispered in the ear of Rabbi dr. Friediger. What was the message and what does Klara mean by saying that it gave hope to her and others in the camp?

  • 2b. Do you think that the commission believed in what they saw? In your opinion, if they sensed that something was wrong what should they have done?

  • 2c. Why do you think it was important for Klara to attach the Danish flag on her bag and try to be seen with the bag in the film?

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The Deportation 1943
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Liberated 1945

Extra Material

   Historical Context Section 1: The History of the Danish Jews

   Historical Context Section 2: Danish and East European Jews

   Historical Context Section 3: Demark in the 1930s and During the German Occupation

   Historical Context Section 5: The End of War and Liberation

   The Danish Population Between Adaptation and Resistance During the German Occupation 1940-45

   Klara Tixell: My Story

   Photos and Documents

Source: Interview with Klara Ruben Tixell 1997.

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