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My Birth
I was born on May 28, 1924, in Kisvarda, Hungary. I have 7 other siblings. Kisvarda is a city in Hungary near the Ukraine border. -
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War Moves to Hungary
Hungary is at war with America. Hungary is one of the Axis powers. During this time, our family has applied for and recieved visas. -
We Move to the Ghettos
Today our family moved to Kisvarda's ghettos. We were told that we would soon be sent elsewhere, to another country, for our safety. Until then, we must stay inside the ghettos' walls. This is a picture of one of the ghettos in Kisvarda, Hungary. -
We Move to Auschwitz Concentration Camp
Today all of the people living in Kisvarda's ghettos were transferred to concentration camps. Upon our arrival at Auschwitz, my mother (Maria) and my youngest sister (Helen) died in gas chambers. The boys and girls were seperated so me and the rest of my sisters went to "Camp C". This is a picture of Auschwitz. -
Transported to Birnbaumel
Six months upon arriving at Auschwitz, I was transported to Birnbaumel; another concentration camp. Only 2 sisters came with me and we were forced to dig anti0tank traps against the advancing Russain army. This is an aerial view of Birnbaumel. -
We Move to German Labor Camp
One year later upon arriving at Birnbaumel,we were sent on a forced death march to another German labor camp. It was very cold and soon into the march, on January 23rd, there was a blizzard. I and the two sisters that came with me to Birnbaumel decided it would be safer to not arrive at the camp and hide on the trail instead. We hid for 2 days in the blizzard. One of my sisters died.
This is a picture of our death march to the other German labor camp. -
We are Liberated!
After two days of hiding in the blizzard we were liberated by the Soviets. This is a picture of Soviet armies liberated European countries in World War II. -
I Arrive in the United States!
Today we arrrived in the United States of America! Me and the last surviving sister were reunited with our father. -
My Wedding Day!
Today I was married to Irving A. Leitner (a combat veteran of Wrold War II). This same year I published my first novel ("Isablla") about my expeiriences as a young Jewish girl during World War II. This is a picture of the cover of "Isabella". -
"Saving the Fragments: From Auschwitz to New York" and "Isabella: from Auschwitz to Freddom" are published.
Today I published my second and third novel called "Saving the Fragments: From Auschwitz to New York" and "Isabella: From Auschwitz to Freedom". "Saving the Fragments" was also the first novel that I published with my husband as co-author. -
"Fragments of Isabella: A Memoir of Auschwitz" is published!
My first novel, called "Fragments of Isabella: A Memoir Of Auschwitz", is published. The work was considered for the Pulitzer Prize for that year. It was also awarded a place on the American Library Association's list of best books of the year for young adults.The book has been translated into Japanese, German, and Italian, and dramatic works based on it have been produced in Ireland, France, Austria, Iceland, Russia, and the United States. In addition, an audio tape was recorded by the author, -
Present Day
Today I am 89 years old and living happily in the United States.
