Linnea Millen

Ms. Wertz-Orbaugh
UWRT 1103
January 24th 2016
Weekly Writing 2: Identity/Survivor Testimony
For this weeks weekly writing assignment I watched the survivor
testimony of Reva Kibort a Jewish woman originally from Poland. During this
testimony Reva accounted her experiences as a young girl growing up during
the Holocaust. Reva, had 5 other brothers and sisters, and two parents. Her
father worked as a shoe maker from home, while her mother primary cared
for the children and up kept the home. Reva had her youngest sister pass of
kidney failure when she was young, so for most of her life she was treated as
the youngest child. She mentioned how her other siblings were always
looking out for her, and treating her nicely mainly due to her young age.
Reva, was six years old when she began to realize the changes
occurring due to the Holocaust, however the most significant of the
beginning events was when her father was killed. This was such a stand out
piece of the story she had told, because when I think of the beginning of the
Holocaust I imagine small food shortages, and Jewish people losing their
jobs, however: for Reva, it was a German bombing that in turn took the life of
her father. I was so surprised that Reva was able to tell the story as calmly as
she did. Though, I understand that it has been umpteen years since the
Holocaust occurred, however; those moments create a lifetime of

psychological hardships, and emotional pain. I commend her for being able
to tell her whole story while for the most part remaining calm. Also, one thing
that really stood out to me was her last of anger that she had while telling
her story. Though she has clearly been enormously effected by these
moments she didnt let anger control her; she was able to tell the story for
what it was, and the events that happened.
It was heartbreaking to listen to her break down and talk about when
her mother died, and how she felt the pain that her mother felt when she
had to tell her that there was no food for her to go eat, and to go and play
and sing and maybe she would start to forget how truly hungry she was. I
can only imagine how difficult it was as a parent during the holocaust. Most
parents could agree that they would do anything to protect, and care for
their children, however; in the case of the Holocaust there was nothing
parents could really do. They were being tortured, and held against their will,
food was rationed, and the living conditions were unbearable but somehow
they had to continue to be that support structure that they had always
intended to be.
Lastly, the most memorable piece of Revas entire testimony was when
she explained how a German soldier saved her life. When he was preparing
to shoot, and kill all of the children in the camp she was staying in he looked
at her and told her to run. Reva, has no idea why he looked at her, and chose
to take pity on her, however; because of that single moment and decision
she is still alive today. I find it so interesting that someone who had killed

many Jews prior, and proceeded to chill eleven children after decided that he
should spare the life of one. I believe that for a split second he felt remorse,
and guilt for his actions. I would really like to learn more about the actual
German soldiers who worked in internment camps and understand why they
did exactly what they did. Overall, this testimony was heartbreakingly
interesting and I feel as though I have learned a lot from watching.