Holocaust survivors have volunteered at the Museum on a regular basis across the institution—engaging with visitors, sharing their personal histories, serving as tour guides, translating historic materials, and more, since the Museum opened. Their presence has been an invaluable asset, and their contributions vital to the Museum’s mission.
Learn about volunteering at the Museum.
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Peter Stein
Born: September 22, 1936, Prague, CzechoslovakiaPeter J. Stein was born Petr Stein on September 22, 1936, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother. Peter’s father Victor operated a factory that produced bentwood furniture and sporting equipment, and his mother Zdenka worked as a teacher, translator, and office manager.
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Elzbieta “Elizabeth” Lusthaus Strassburger
Born: May 15, 1938, Kraków, PolandElzbieta grew up in Iwonicz, a resort town in southwestern Poland noted for its mineral water. Her father, Edmund, was a respected physician and her mother, Helena, had studied pharmacology. At home, they spoke Polish and were among the few Jewish families who lived in Iwonicz.
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Herman Taube
Born: February 2, 1918, Lodz, Poland Died: March 25, 2014, Rockville, MarylandHerman Taube was born to Jewish parents in Lodz, Poland in 1918. Orphaned at an early age, he was brought up by his religious grandfather. In prewar Lodz, Herman became a yeshiva student. During the war, Herman lived as an exile in Uzbekestan. He also served as a medic in the Second Polish Army and was stationed with them in Majdanek.
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Susan Taube
Born: January 9, 1926, Vacha, Germany Died: January 2, 2023, Rockville, MDSusan was born 9 January 1926 in Vacha, Germany, a small Thuringian town where her family had lived for more than 400 years. Her father, Hermann, owned a general store and her mother, Bertha, managed the home and took care of Susan and her younger sister, Brunhilde (b. 1928). The Strauss family was one of about twenty Jewish families living in Vacha in the years leading up to the war.
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Alfred “Freddie” Traum
Born: March 22, 1929, Vienna, Austria Died: February 26, 2020, Silver Spring, MDAlfred “Freddie” Traum was born in Vienna, Austria into a traditional Jewish family. World War I left Freddie’s father, Elias, severely disabled with arthritis, and he barely left the apartment. Freddie’s mother, Gita, therefore, was often out of the apartment for business. Freddie and his father spent many afternoons together where Freddie learned from his positive outlook and his determination to overcome life’s hardships.
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Josiane (Josie) Traum
Born: March 21, 1939, Brussels, BelgiumJosie was born in Brussels, Belgium on March 21, 1939 into a traditional Jewish home to Fanny Aizenberg (Fajga Orenbuch) and Jacques Aizenberg. Jacques worked as a tailor and Fanny was a clothing designer for the Royal House of Belgium. Josie’s father left for England with his brother before the German invasion of Belgium in May 1940 because it was thought that men were likely to be arrested by the Nazis and that women and children would be left alone. He and his brother joined the Polish contingent of the British army where he worked in a factory making uniforms in London.
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Eve Kristine Vetulani
Born: October 1, 1924, Cracow, Poland Died: March 25, 2004, Baltimore, MarylandEve Kristine Vetulani was born to a Catholic family in Cracow, Poland. Her father was a professor at Jagiellonian University. Her mother took care of Kristine.
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Susan Warsinger
Born: May 27, 1929, Bad Kreuznach, GermanySusan Warsinger was born Susi Hilsenrath on May 27, 1929 in Bad Kreuznach, a city in western Germany. Born to Israel and Annie Hilsenrath, Susi was the eldest of three children. Mr. Hilsenrath owned a successful linen store, and Mrs. Hilsenrath took care of Susi and her brothers, Joseph and Ernest.
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Henry Weil
Born: September 22, 1935, Vienna, AustriaHenry Weil was born Heinz Weil on September 22, 1935, in Vienna, Austria. Henry’s father, Hugo, worked in a leather goods store owned by his uncle Philipp Weil. His mother, Maria “Marishka” née Springer, cared for Henry and their home. The Weils were an observant Jewish family, attending synagogue regularly. Henry had many cousins living close by and spent his childhood riding tricycles and playing games with them in the courtyard of his apartment building.
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Irene Fogel Weiss
Born: November 21, 1930, Bótrágy, CzechoslovakiaIrene Weiss was born Iren Fogel on November 21, 1930, in Bótrágy, Czechoslovakia (now Batrad’, Ukraine) to Meyer and Leah Fogel. Meyer owned a lumber yard, and Leah managed their home and cared for Irene and her five siblings—Moshe, Edit, Reuven, Gershon, and Serena.
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