Eyewitness to History: Holocaust Survivor Theodora (Dora) Klayman

Summary

Theodora (Dora) Klayman, a Holocaust survivor born in 1938 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, recounts her harrowing experiences during World War II. She describes how the ultra-nationalist Ustashe regime, supported by Nazi Germany, persecuted Jews, including her own family. Dora's parents were killed in concentration camps, but she and her brother were hidden by Catholic neighbors. After the war, they were adopted by their uncle and rebuilt their lives in Yugoslavia. Dora emphasizes the importance of standing up against oppression and ensuring the promise of 'Never Again' is upheld in the face of ongoing global persecution.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ Dora Klayman is a Holocaust survivor born in 1938 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, a country divided by political and ideological differences.
• ⚔️ The ultra-nationalist group Ustashe, supported by Nazi Germany, persecuted non-Croatian and non-Catholic communities, including Jews, Roma, and Serbs.
• 🏠 Dora’s maternal family lived peacefully among Catholics in Ludbreg for 40 years, with minimal antisemitic incidents before the German invasion.
• 👰 Dora's aunt Giza married Ludva Vrancic, hoping his Catholic identity would protect her from persecution.
• 💔 In 1941, Dora’s parents were arrested and deported to Jasenovac concentration camp, where they were killed.
• 💡 Dora and her brother survived by being hidden by their Catholic neighbors, the Runjak family, who sheltered them despite knowing they were Jewish.
• 🙏 After the war, Dora and her brother were baptized for protection and later adopted by Ludva, their uncle by marriage.
• 📜 Dora reflects on the power of individuals and communities to resist oppression, highlighting the importance of standing up for what is right.
• 🔁 She notes that genocides have continued, including in Yugoslavia, and emphasizes the need for action against persecution based on religious or ethnic identity.
• 🗣️ Dora urges people to lift their voices and act to prevent future atrocities, advocating for a world where 'Never Again' becomes a reality.

Q & A

Who is Dora Klayman?

Dora Klayman is a Holocaust survivor and Museum volunteer, born in January 1938 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia.

What was the political situation in Yugoslavia before World War II?

Yugoslavia was a country with differing historical alliances, several languages, and various religions. Before World War II, there were serious ideological and political disagreements, leading to the rise of the ultra-nationalist group Ustashe.

What was the Ustashe, and what were their goals?

The Ustashe was an ultra-nationalist group in Yugoslavia that advocated withdrawal from the Yugoslav coalition and the establishment of a nationalist Croatian country. After failing to win enough votes, they resorted to terrorist tactics and later led a Nazi puppet government in Croatia.

How did the Ustashe come to power in Croatia?

The Ustashe came to power after the German invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, with support from Nazi Germany, establishing a puppet government in Croatia.

What happened to Dora Klayman's parents during the Holocaust?

Dora Klayman's parents were arrested in June 1941. Her father was sent to Jasenovac concentration camp, and her mother was sent to Stara Gradiska, a subcamp of Jasenovac. Neither survived.

Who helped Dora and her brother survive during the Holocaust?

Dora and her brother were first sheltered by their grandparents and later by their Catholic neighbors, the Runjak family. Many people in their town knew they were Jewish but never denounced them.

What happened to Dora's aunt, Giza, and her husband, Ludva?

Giza married Ludva, a Catholic, hoping his identity would protect her. However, Ludva was arrested and sent to Jasenovac in 1943, and Giza was deported to Auschwitz, where she died shortly after arrival.

How did Dora and her brother avoid being discovered during the Holocaust?

To protect them, Dora and her brother were baptized and pretended to be the children of their Catholic neighbors, the Runjaks.

What does Dora emphasize about the role of individuals and towns during the Holocaust?

Dora highlights the power of individuals and even whole towns to stand up and do what is right in times of persecution. She reflects on how people can fight political oppression, but it requires more than internal uprisings to defeat powerful governments.

What broader message does Dora Klayman convey in her testimony?

Dora emphasizes that hatred and genocide did not end with the Holocaust and continue in various parts of the world. She calls for people not to remain silent and to raise their voices against persecution and injustice.