Irene Miller’s story is just one example of how some women endured and overcame persecution during the Holocaust.

When Germany invaded her home country of Poland, Irene and her family were stranded in “No Man’s Land” trying to flee to Russia.

 Later, she was forcibly sent with her parents, Bella and Israel, and her sister Halina to a Siberian work camp. 

Starvation was a daily struggle, as Irene recalled: “My mother said to me, ‘Pretend that there’s no war. What would you like for your present?’ So I told her I would like a big loaf of bread and that I can eat of it as much as I want.

 And my mother started crying. I absolutely couldn’t understand what I did to make her cry.”

The family later traveled to Uzbekistan, where her father tragically died from illness. Out of desperation, Irene and her sister were sent to an orphanage, where her mother found work to stay close to them. 

“She helped out in whatever she could. It wasn’t an official job and there was no pay, but she wanted to be with us. And I was glad to have her there, it was a great comfort.”

The three women survived the war together. Irene moved to Israel and later to the United States.

Reference:

The HC to hear Irene tell her story on Survivor Talk Sundays. www.holocaustcenter.org/survivor-talk-sundays/

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