Born in Gherla, Romania
Eva is born in Gherla, Romania but her family moves often in her early years. Her father is not effective in caring for the family and they are constantly on the move. Eva is the middle child with an older and younger brother.
Living in Oradea
Eva drops out of school in the third grade to start working as a seamstress. She helps support the family while her brothers study Torah at the local yeshiva.
Ghetto formed at Oradea
On May 5, 1944 the order goes to all 33,000 Jews in Oradea to get into the Ghetto. Emil had been visiting Eva and is trapped in the ghetto at this time.
Married while in ghetto
After resisting Emil’s courtship and proposal of a civil marriage, Eva and Emil marry in a religious ceremony in the ghetto. They receive the Rabbi’s Office as a private room for the nights.
Deportation to Auschwitz
75 people on the boxcar including Emil and Eva along with much of Eva’s extended family: brother. parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousings.
Arrival at Auschwitz
They arrived at Auschwitz during the night and waited for morning to disembark. Upon disembarkation, Eva and Emil were seperated.
Forced labor at Auschwitz I labor camp
Eva had her head shaved and was given prisoner garb before entering a labor camp was for women only. She was allowed to keep her shoes.
Transferred to Stutthof Concentration Camp
Eva was transferred to the Stutthof camp, but was allowed to keep her shoes.
Forced labor at Stutthof
Eva was put to work doing extreme manual labor while receiving minimal amounts of food. Her primary responsibility for nearly six months was clearing rocks and boulders for an airfield.
Liberated by Soviet Army
After six weeks of forced marching, which she credits having survived due to having a good pair of shoes; Eva takes cover in a barn behind a set of hay bales. She is liberated the same day.
Victory in Europe Day – Returning to Oradea
Eva was on her way back to Oradea after being treated for her ailments by the Soviet Army. She learns about the Allied Victory while changing trains at Aushwitz-Birkenau.
Eva and Emil are reunited
After a nearly 800 mile bicycle ride, Emil returns to Oradea and is reunited with Eva.
David is born
Two years after being married and one year after being reunited, David is born in Târgu Mureș.