Oliver Sears on how his family survived during the Holocaust | Her.ie

Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day and a reminder of one of the world's darkest moments in history.The Holocaust was the genocide of European Jews during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically killed approximately six million Jews across German-occupied Europe, around two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population.

"How to measure the fear and desperation in those eyes, hiding from a regime programmed to turn you, your family and your culture into ash."Using her forged documents Oliver's grandmother was able to gain employment at a household that would keep her safe, but she could not let them know she had a child.

"My mother, only a child and not understanding, bent down and tried to put Bolek's intestines back in his body. In her mind she thought she could put him back together. My grandmother screamed and dragged my mother away."Once boarded onto the train Oliver's grandmother knew that they would not survive wherever they were being taken. She knew she would have to do what ever it took to save her child.

Oliver was raised in the UK but moved to Ireland in the 1980s. It wasn't until he met his wife that he realised how little his mother actually spoke about surviving the Holocaust. It wasn't until the 1990s that my mother really opened up about everything she had experienced in those years. It was during these conversations that she came to the conclusion that she had to go back to Poland.

For my mother to walk through the gates of Auschwitz with her son and walk back out again freely was a moment impossible to describe."

Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Domestic abuse victims could receive paid leave with new Bill | Her.ieThe equality committee is set to discuss a Bill that would introduce paid work leave for those who are victims of domestic violence.
Source: Herdotie - 🏆 15. / 63 Read more »

New photo of Bernadette Connolly released as search continues | Her.ieBernadette Connolly has been missing for almost three weeks. Her daughter Jade has shared a new photo of the Dublin mum in a bid to find her.
Source: Herdotie - 🏆 15. / 63 Read more »

Damian Lewis pays touching tribute to late wife Helen McCrory with Irish poem | Her.ieActor Damian Lewis has paid tribute to his late wife Helen McCrory at a special evening honouring her memory at the National Theatre in London.
Source: Herdotie - 🏆 15. / 63 Read more »

The release of the new Downton Abbey film has been delayed again | Her.ieThe release of the highly-anticipated sequel to the first Downton Abbey film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, has been delayed for the second time.
Source: Herdotie - 🏆 15. / 63 Read more »

Crystal Swing's Dervla calls for more supports for children with autism | Her.ieCrystal Swing's Dervla Burke O'Connor has called opened up about life with a severely autistic son and called for more supports for children with autism.
Source: Herdotie - 🏆 15. / 63 Read more »