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FRENCH CHILDREN OF THE HOLOCAUST

A memorial
Serge Klarsfeld  

 
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when I was separated from the normal world, and since Friday, September 4th, when I was separated from Maman, you can't imagine how I've longed to see you and be free, even if it means I have to die of starvation and cold. I'm writing this small so as not to use up too much paper because I don't have much. Forgive me. My poor Ada, to think my whole exam is under water and that we won't be in the same class anymore – I can't even expect to make up for lost time because it looks as if I'll probably still be in jail. I can say this to you but don't repeat it: my life here is a form of hell. We're all thrown together and (I'm going to tell you something that will make you blush) I'm the only virgin here and the only political prisoner (!!!) The others are in for theft, prostitution, vagrancy.
Drancy, February 2, 1943 … The life I'm living tempers me and forces me to manage on my own. Despite a few inconveniences, all will not have been lost and I will have learned certain things. I'm seeing so many different people and so many things are happening to me that are so full of emotion that I would need 1001 nights to tell you everything. You know, I received another wonderful photograph of Papa. He looks very fine indeed, and now I have the whole family in the big sack I tote around with me everywhere I go. He still sends me wonderful packages. Now you won't be able to send me packages. I'm glad. I was crazy to insist on them when you had Maman and Gilbert to worry about … Only I won't be able to receive any more letters either. They've organized a new system. It's just like with prisoners, with a stamped return card, but please be assured that I expect to be able to keep writing; who knows, I'll probably write you more than the other way around. All this thanks to my friend. I haven't told you much about her but not because I have nothing to say. I love her very much. She's Polish, beautiful but without makeup and with terrific hair, an iron will. She adores her husband (Bruno, who's really nice and also funny) and she's lost 8 kilos [about 18 lbs.] because she gives everything to him. She's really amazing. She's very, very, very intelligent, with a great sense of justice (she's the assistant to the director of our dormitory and I feel very flattered to have become her friend. You know, my darling Nadia, I've finished
The Physiology of Instinct and Intelligence. I read it with Mallina and we both memorized the sections on the brain, which was a little tricky. It's a terrific book and I'm impatiently waiting for the second volume. I treasure all your letters and keep them with my photos and the letters my schoolmates sent me in September … Olga, Louise's mother, was deported on convoy 62. Louise's sister, Nadia, is active in preserving the memory of those deported.
 
   
   

FRENCH CHILDREN OF THE HOLOCAUST

A memorial
Serge Klarsfeld

 
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