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Circle of Truth: Theresienstadt Survivors
Two sisters' experiences in the Theresienstadt ghetto, exposing the Nazi propaganda that masked its true horrors.
German
Germany
Human Rights ViolationsGermany FamilyHolocaustTraumaResistanceSurvival
International Red CrossSsNazi Party
Elisabeth ScheiderbauerHelga Feldner-BusztinKurt SchuschniggAdolf HitlerRobert Hofferer
- What was daily life like for Helga and Elisabeth in Theresienstadt?
- Life in Theresienstadt was a facade for foreign visitors, showcasing shops and a playground, while the true reality was starvation, disease, and constant fear of further deportation. The sisters witnessed horrific scenes of death.
- What were the sisters' experiences after liberation from Theresienstadt?
- After liberation, the sisters returned to a bombed-out Vienna, a stark contrast to their mother's idealized descriptions. They faced further antisemitism, but found strength in their survival and forged successful lives.
- How did the sisters' status as "half-Jewish" individuals impact their lives?
- As "half-Jewish" individuals, Helga and Elisabeth initially had some protection, but still faced constant discrimination. They were ultimately deported to Theresienstadt when Helga turned 14, where they endured starvation, forced labor, and constant fear.
- What were the experiences of Helga and Elisabeth's parents during the Holocaust?
- Helga and Elisabeth's father, a Jewish doctor, was deported to Buchenwald, and later Auschwitz. Their mother, a Protestant convert to Judaism, did everything she could to protect her daughters from deportation, eventually joining them in Theresienstadt.
- What was the true nature of Theresienstadt, despite its presentation to outsiders?
- Theresienstadt, a ghetto presented as a model to foreign visitors, hid a horrific reality for its Jewish inmates. The film "Circle of Truth" recounts the experiences of two sisters who survived.