Kestenberg Archive

MG was the youngest of five children born in Lodz. Her father owned night clubs and dancing schools; he was well-known and liked in society. As a result of her family's assimilation, she wasn't aware that she was Jewish until the persecution started. She identified herself with the German culture and all their family friends were German. When MG's mother was young, she had fled from Russia to Poland due to antisemitism. When Poland was invaded by the Germans, people in power were arrested so the Germans could have money. A jealous competitor tried to get her father arrested but he reasoned with the Gestapo and was freed. The family hid in the father's dance studio and later an aunt's home. Friends provided them with coal and food despite the shortages. The family voluntarily entered the ghetto after they witnessed an Orthodox man die after being beaten up by Gentiles. The ghetto closed in 1940 with Jews not allowed to leave. Chaos ensued as a Jewish government was set up; there were no stores. Food was scarce and the family sold what they had on the black market for food. Her sister resorted to smuggling food from outside the ghetto until she was caught and beaten. Her father used his connections to get her back from the German police station. MG took her sister's place with her two brothers as lookouts. She was arrested like her sister but luckily was able to return to the camp. ; Her Mother was in denial of the war and developed malnutrition. A friend working in the ghetto provided food and medicine for a while, but wanted her father to become a German spy. He refused. This friend also warned them of impending aktions. Her mother was selected while she was hiding and died soon after. She saw Jews hurting other Jews, and heard of survivors killing other survivors after the war. MG survived Auschwitz with her cousin; all of her siblings survived the war. Her father died from German torture. They forced him to dance until his demise. She lived in Bergen Belsen DP camp and later immigrated to the USA.