Born in Suplac, Romania
Youngest of three children.
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.
Labor camp at Buchenwald
Emil is processed at Buchenwald camp. His effects cards show that he arrived with nothing (or that the Germans didn’t bother filling out the form).
Synthetic oil production
Emil told his son about being slave labor in a petroleum factory that was making synthetic oil (a process of producing gas from coal).
The only sub-camp of Buchenwald that was known to be producing synthetic oil was Lützendorf.
U.S. Army liberates Buchenwald
On April 11, 1945 soldiers from the 6th Armored Division, part of the Third Army liberated the Buchenwald main camp. Emil received food and clothing from the Americans.
Biking back to Romania
Emil stole a bike from the US Army in Buchenwald and starts bicycling back to Romania. He travels to the Danube river and follows it to Vienna, where his bicycle is stolen from him and he needs to steal a different bicycle to continue his journey.
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.