Part 1: Louis Leviticus is a professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but he is also a survivor of the Holocaust and an author. NewsNetNebraska's Carson Stokebrand interviewed Leviticus about his book, Tales from the Milestone, which details his life during World War II. In this segment, Leviticus describes the prejudice and injustice he faced while living as a Jew in German-controlled Amsterdam. As German influence became stronger there, little by little freedoms were restricted for Jews. Leviticus also describes the impact Nazi propaganda had on the way he viewed himself as a Jew. Finally, Leviticus describes his interaction with perhaps the most well known victim of the Holocaust, Anne Frank.
Part 2: When Amsterdam became too dangerous, Leviticus and his parents fled the city and took refuge on a small farm. In the spring of 1942 the family moved again. This time they were confined inside a small apartment, unable to make a sound for fear of being discovered by German police. However, on Nov. 1 of that year, the police found the family. Leviticus managed to narrowly escape by jumping from a third-floor railing onto an awning, but he never saw his parents again. In the weeks following, Leviticus lived on the run. He returned to the farm for a brief period but eventually was given a new identity by an underground organization that was passively resistant to the German efforts.
Part 3: During the winter of 1944-1945 there was an extreme shortage of food and supplies in the Netherlands. Leviticus describes the desperation faced by so many during this time. For Leviticus, self-preservation was an important issue. When faced with a "kill or be killed" situation, Leviticus took the life of a German SS soldier. While it is not something he is proud of, or even meant to do, he says he had little choice. Leviticus concludes by describing the trust issues many survivors face as a result of the trauma they have endured. Many have never completely recovered.
I loved this interview!! It was both informitive and interesting at the same time!! I'm so glad Carson took the time to interview a Holocaust survivor before there is not any remaining survivors alive to tell us what it was really like. I would also like to note how brave and painful it must be for Louis to relive these events and still be willing to write and talk about the Holocaust, for that I would like to Thank him. Thanks for sharing this story, I can't wait to read the book.
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Thanks for sharing this story, I can't wait to read the book.