'I want the world to know what happened to me.' Holocaust survivor details several escapes from death
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Auschwitz survivor Rosalie Simon shared her story with News 12.
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Rosalie Lebovic Simon and her sisters survived Auschwitz. Her mother and brother did not. They were murdered by the Nazis.
Rosalie said she shares her story because, “I want the world to know what happened to me, and to my family and six million other Jewish people…”
At the concentration camp, Rosalie said, "We were not considered human beings anymore. They did whatever they wanted with us." She said their heads were shaved and disinfectant was placed all over their bodies.
Rosalie escaped death several times. She said she was sent to the left at Auschwitz. The left meant death. But when she heard over the loudspeaker that those on the left would be receiving more bread, she ran off to find her sisters. She believed the lie. By believing the lie about the bread, she survived. Her mother went to the gas chamber.
On another occasion, Rosalie said the infamous Dr. Mengele sent her to die. She was placed in a locked room, where a Jewish woman working for the doctor helped her escape. Rosalie found her sisters, but Dr. Mengele once again appeared to look over everyone. Rosalie was terrified that he would recognize her. She said her sister grabbed her hand and they ran to a train headed to a work camp. They made it. Rosalie said, "I was so happy to get out of Auschwitz alive. Witnessing those burning flames coming out of the chimneys every single day and night." Rosalie credits her sister with risking her own life to save Rosalie's. The sisters were ultimately liberated by the Americans.
Rosalie tells her story in the book, "Girl In A Striped Dress."
