Albert Cimmer
"Albert told many stories about his experiences during the Holocaust. He was hopeful that such atrocities would never happen again."
Name at birth
Avrum Zimmer
Date of birth
05/15/1920
Where did you grow up?
Lukowa, Poland
Name of father, occupation
Cattle peddler
Maiden name of mother, occupation
Goldie,
Homemaker
Immediate family (names, birth order)
Parents, two sisters, one brother and myself
Who survived the Holocaust?
Me and my sister, Tzipora
I came from a very rural area of Poland. My father who was a cattle peddler passed away when I was only three. My family was very poor and I had little education. I had to work to help provide for my family at a very young age. My sister Tzipora would help me by begging for food.
Name of Concentration / Labor Camp(s)
What DP Camp were you after the war?
Yes, first in Lublin, Poland, then to Kattowice, Poland, then to Lintz, Austria
Where did you go after being liberated?
Lublin, Poland
When did you come to the United States?
On Jan. 17, 1949 with my wife Edith and our 20-month old daughter Goldie arrived in Boston on an ocean liner from Hamburg, Germany.
Where did you settle?
From Boston, we went to New York City sponsored by HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). We lived in a small apartment in New York for six weeks where I had some cousins.
How is it that you came to Michigan?
While living in the New York, my wife Edith was able to make contact with her paternal uncle in Detroit. We moved to Detroit where the uncle helped us get settled.
Occupation after the war
Michigan Bolt and Nut Co.
When and where were you married?
Shortly after liberation in Lublin, Poland. I was 26 when I met Edith when she was 19 at a flea market. We were married a few months later
Spouse
Edith,
Seamstress
Children
Goldie, Rochelle, and Jay
Grandchildren
Five: Daniel, Janna, Ben, Brittany, and Elaena
What do you think helped you to survive?
My sister Tzipora played an integral part in my survival. She begged for food for me and was at my aid.
What message would you like to leave for future generations?
Albert told many stories about his experiences during the Holocaust. He was hopeful that such atrocities would never happen again.
Interviewer:
Biography given by Mrs. Edith Cimmer, Albert Cimmer’s widow
Interview date:
04/01/2011
Survivor's map
