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Livia Bitton-Jackson

Livia Bitton-Jackson (born February 28, 1931) is an author and a Holocaust survivor. She was born as Elli L. Friedmann in Samorin, Czechoslovakia. She was 13 years old when she, her mother, father, aunt and brother Bubi, were taken to Ghetto Nagymagyar. Eventually, they were transported to Auschwitz, the largest German concentration camp. She was liberated in 1945. Bitton-Jackson came to the U.S. on a refugee boat in 1951. She then studied at New York University, from which she received a Ph.D. in Hebrew Culture and Jewish History. She also wrote her 1997 memoir I Have Lived a Thousand Years.


“My stories are of gas chambers, shootings, electrified fences, torture, scorching sun, mental abuse, and constant threat of death.But they are also stories of faith, hope, triumph, and love. They are stories of perseverance, loyalty, courage in the face of overwhelming odds, and of never giving up!”
Livia Bitton-Jackson
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“Reading my personal accountI believe you feel-you-will know that the Holocaust was neither a legend nor Hollywood fiction but a lesson for the future! ”
Livia Bitton-Jackson
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“My hope is that learning about past evils will help us to avoid them in the future.”
Livia Bitton-Jackson
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“Goldene Haar!'' he exclaims and takes one of my long braids into his hand. I am not certain I heard right. Did he say ''golden hair'' about my braids?Are you Jewish? The question startles me. ''Yes, I am Jewish.'' How old are you? I am thirteen.'' ''You are tall for your age. Is this your mother?'' He touches Mommy lightly on the shoulder. ''You go with your mother.”
Livia Bitton-Jackson
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“What is death all about? What is life all about?”
Livia Bitton-Jackson
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