Through The Eyes Of Albert

Imagine living in a world where you could never feel safe. Every step you took, every move you made, every word you spoke, terrified you. It could either save you, or threaten your life. Imagine going from living a normal, everyday life to living in terror and fear, then waking up and trying to forget it all. That’s how thirteen year old, Albert Beder felt during the times of the Holocaust.

Albert Beder was born in Konvo, Lithuania in June 13, 1928, into a wealthy, Jewish family. He had two brothers, three sisters, and both his parents (Eliat). He attended public school, went to church, participated in games, and lived the life of a normal Jewish child. At least that’s what he thought. However, shortly after turning thirteen, Albert and his family were taken from their home and sent to their first ghetto camp (Eliat). He and his family spent nearly 6 months here, before being shipped off to the Konvo ghetto camp in January, 1941 (Folarn). Here, Albert’s life completely changed. He was separated from his family, never seeing his mother or two of his sisters again. He was given a minimal amount of food, and forced to live in very overcrowded buildings, with almost no space for a pillow, or even place to sleep, due to the number of people crammed in the tight rooms and spaces (Eliat). Unfortunately, this wasn’t the most tragic event Albert had to face.

If living in the ghetto camps wasn’t terrible enough, a year later in 1942, Albert and his family were sent to the Arbeitslager concentration camp (Folarn). Here, Albert met a young boy named Howard, who quickly became one of his very close friends. At Arbeitslager, Albert was given even less food, stripped of his clothing, possessions, and given only one article of clothing to w...

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...fe and family of his own. Albert and Howard keep in touch and are still very close friends. “He warns us to be cautious, as hate can bring with it many things for which we are wholly unprepared. He says, “The Holocaust is a story that needs to be told. I imagine my grandmother, and I imagine her in a place where they killed 10,000. They would have wanted their story known” (Forlarn). Albert is remembered for many things, and still lives on as an inspiration and example of hope in many people’s hearts and minds.

Works Cited

Eliat , Levitan. "The Story of Albert Beder." www.eliatgordinlevitan.com. Konvo Stories, 17 Mar 2007. Web. 18 Nov 2013.

Folaron, Tarisa. "He says." thirdcoastdaily.com. Third Coast Daily, 1 Jan 2007. Web. 15 Nov 2013. .