Gerda Klein

During the Holocaust, Jewish people were submitted to the vilest and most inhumane conditions the world had ever seen. Their most basic freedoms were taken from them almost instantly. At first, all they lost were items such as flour, eggs, sugar, and even cocoa. Later on, they were stripped of their land and businesses and separated according to their ability to be productive slaves to Hitler Third Reich. Those that were deemed unfit were sent to slaughter houses. Entire families were torn apart, much like what happened to Gerda Weissman Klein family. Despite watching her mother, father, and brother being taken from her, knowing that she would never see them again, she found the strength to survive three years in German labor camps through her family, friends, and her own strong will for survival.

After Poland fell to German forces, all Jewish men of a certain age range were required to register. Klein brother Arthur was the first family member she lost when he was called to duty. e strong, they will need you. (p. 21) Those were Arthur last words to his little sister, and Klein took them very seriously. Even after she found herself separated from her family and imprisoned by the Nazis, Klein drew strength from Arthur plea.

Klein parents were a major source of strength for her. They were who she looked to for guidance and support, especially after Germany invaded Poland. After the Nazis were in power and before she went away to labor camps, everything Klein did revolved around her parents. She was extra careful in her actions because she feared that her actions could spell doom for her parents. Unfortunately, nothing Klein could have done would have saved them. Her father was suddenly sent away on a train, and Klein and her mother watched him depart for his death from a cold platform. His advice to his daughter proved instrumental in her survival later on. hat ever you are thinking now t is cowardly. Promise me ou will never do it. (p 32) He begged his daughter to never give up, to never take her own life, and Klein relied on that plea for many years after her father death. Her mother was taken from her as well. Her last words, e strong! (p 92) echoed through Klein mind and stayed with her throughout her struggles against the horrific conditions she would soon find herself in.

Though her family was her main source of strength, Klein had to find

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