Shirley Radin
"If someone reminds you of a Hitler, don’t let them get to the point where Hitler got. Always be mindful. Never let it happen again, never. It affects your life if you think about it too much. I lost my 19 year old brother. He was a nice, healthy, and good looking boy. What a loss."
Name at birth
Sara Lichtenfeld
Date of birth
12/11/1928
Where did you grow up?
Dobrzyn, Poland
Name of father, occupation
Jacob Joseph Lichtenfeld,
Clothing and fabric merchant
Maiden name of mother, occupation
Rivka Chala,
Worked with Husband
Immediate family (names, birth order)
Parents and five children: Irving, Abraham, Elliot, Sam and me
How many in entire extended family?
I came from a big family. Many on my mother’s side immigrated to Mexico City in the 1920’s. Many on my father’s side had left for USA and England earlier
Who survived the Holocaust?
My parents, myself, two brothers, and a few cousins. My brother Irving left for Detroit before the war, my brother Elliot left for Mexico also before the war. My brother Abraham died before the war started.
In 1938, my parents and my brother Sam were the last ones living at home in Dobrzyn, the rest of the family had previously moved away. My family was desperate to leave Poland to go to England but they could not get a visa. When I was 9 years old, we were able to move to Brussels, Belgium. We hoped that of being able to leave for Mexico or the USA from there. In May 1940, Germany invaded Belgium. In 1942, my brother was rounded up to work in a “labor” camp which turned out to be Auschwitz. He was never heard from again.
My father worked in a factory making fur vests for the German army. He had a document that protected him from arrest as he was a vital worker. The Gestapo later came to the family apartment but left as they were protected under this document. They were scared. One of my teachers offered to hide me in her home for money. The teacher later denounced my family. The Gestapo came but the documents again protected them.
I then went to a children’s home for disadvantaged children for safety. One day the Germans came looking for Jewish children. I had blond hair and blue eyes. I was sent to answer the door. I was standing next to the Gestapo but stayed calm as they spoke with the director of the Home.
The war finally came to an end.
Where were you in hiding?
With false documents in Brussels
When did you come to the United States?
In 1947 my family settled in Detroit where my uncle and aunt lived.
When and where were you married?
1953 in Detroit, Michigan
Spouse
Jules Radin,
Children's clothing Store'
Children
Howard and Paulette Baum
Grandchildren
Two: Andrew and Stephanie
What do you think helped you to survive?
My looks, I had blond hair and blue eyes. I was able to walk in the streets of Brussels and the Gestapo never stopped me suspecting I was Jewish. Also it was “in me,” to be calm, in order to survive.
What message would you like to leave for future generations?
If someone reminds you of a Hitler, don’t let them get to the point where Hitler got. Always be mindful. Never let it happen again, never. It affects your life if you think about it too much. I lost my 19 year old brother. He was a nice, healthy, and good looking boy. What a loss.
Interviewer:
Charles Silow
Interview date:
09/25/2009
Experiences
Survivor's map
