Eve Rider
"Like I said before, give them a prayer. Have a prayer where you know the meaning of each word. You have to know exactly what you are talking about. "
Name at birth
Evelin Sigrid Gleichmann
Date of birth
10/31/1936
Where did you grow up?
Berlin, Germany till 1961
Name of father, occupation
Kurt Zander,
Administrative Clerk
Maiden name of mother, occupation
Edith Gleichmann,
Business owner
Immediate family (names, birth order)
Parents, Eve, Victor who was born in 1948
How many in entire extended family?
Grandmother Bertha Gleichmann, Grandfather Heinrich Gleichmann, Uncle Rudolf Gleichmann, Aunt Kathe Gleichmann, and Aunt Leonore Gleichmann
Who survived the Holocaust?
Myself, my Parents, Grandparents, Uncle Rudy, Aunt Kathe, and Aunt Leonore
Name of Concentration / Labor Camp(s)
When did you come to the United States?
1962
Where did you settle?
Finleyville, Pennsylvania then Grand Rapids, Michigan
How is it that you came to Michigan?
We came to Grand Rapids for job opportunities for my Husband
Occupation after the war
I have a degree in Business Administration and I was an interviewer for the Census Bureau
When and where were you married?
1962
Spouse
Nelson Rider ,
American GI and Meat Business
Children
Christian, Beef Business, Stefan, Senior Test Engineer at Bissell, and Thomas, Medical Sales
Grandchildren
Brandon, Jeffery, Jamie and Sadie Great grandchildren Lola, Bentley and twins
What do you think helped you to survive?
I believe one thing I want to tell everyone please teach your child a prayer. A prayer they understand. Where each word has a meaning. That’s what my mother did for me she taught me a prayer. The prayer got me through the whole war and the rest of my life. I felt God was with me. This is the prayer my mother taught me. I used this prayer to comfort myself. I still recite this prayer everyday. Müde bin ich geh zur Ruh, schließe beide Äuglein zu. Vater halte selber wacht, Schenk uns eine gute Nacht. AMEN Translated as: Tired I am, I will go to sleep I will close my eyes. Father hold watch over me, Give us an good Night, Amen
What message would you like to leave for future generations?
Like I said before, give them a prayer. Have a prayer where you know the meaning of each word. You have to know exactly what you are talking about.
Interviewer:
Charles Silow
Interview date:
07/11/2024
