the diary of mary berg: growing up in the warsaw ghetto
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The Diary of Mary Berg:
Growing up in the Warsaw Ghetto
Miriam WattenbergFrom Lodz, Poland
Fled to Warsaw
Mother (Lena), Father (Shya) & Sister (Anna)
Father owned an art gallery
Wealthier family
Mother is an American born citizenGave whole family protection and privileges
Mary Berg’s Diary
Written in 12 spiral notebooksUsed a code language
First published February 1945 (before the war was over)
Warsaw Ghetto: A Diary
Shortened last name to BergProtect family and friends alive in Poland
Warsaw GhettoFirst formed November 1940
Mary only 15-years-old
Importance of wealth: bribingHousing, education, labor camps and jobs
Surrounded by terror, but led normal livesFormed illegal classesWent to restaurants
Mary and friends formed a club: Lodz Artistic Group
Raise relief funds: put on plays
Pawiak PrisonCitizens of neutral countries were interned
European and American countries
Mother in contact with a Gestapo agentJuly 17, 1942: Interned as American citizens
With Polish born husband and daughters
Living conditionsMany families within cellMattresses filled with strawTwo meals a day
July 22, 1942: The Great DeportationSaw over 300,000 Jews being deported
Vittel Internment Camp
January 18, 1943: Vittel, FranceRoomed in hotelsLuxuries of spasHospitalMovies and entertainmentShopsParksClasses
The Red CrossMonthly packaged food
Mary volunteeredChildren’s art classes and playtime
AmericaMarch 19, 1944: Selected for an exchange with German prisoners in the United States
Will not go back to Poland
Remembrance of friends and family killed
Post 1950s: Disassociated herself from
the diaryTo forget the pastAdult life is unknown
Holocaust & Genocide Education
Few diaries/journals been savedWho experienced living in ghettos or concentration camps
Survivors passing away
Not published again until 2007
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