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Bearing testimony is a meaningful task for Holocaust survivors. Your presence, as a listener to the testimony, makes it possible for your relative, the Holocaust survivor, to tell his or her story. We highly appreciate your willingness to take part of this endeavor.
Naturally, when we think of testimonies, what comes to mind is an interview held by a trained professional. Testimonies conducted within the family circle are more flexible, and not as rigorously bound by formal criteria. As the person conducting the testimony, your basic task is to listen – rather than interview. The testimony will probably benefit from your previous familiarity with the witness and his or her story.
The following guidelines are meant to clarify your role as a listener by pointing out basic dos and don'ts. We hope they help you carry out this important role and provide your relative, the Holocaust survivor, with the supportive setting he or she needs.
- The time frame that we recommend for testimonies held within the family circle is one to two hours. Bearing testimony is a demanding task, and it is important not to exhaust the witness. Such a time frame is also effective in keeping the testimony on track.
- Please make sure the testimony opens by clearly stating the following: the full name of the witness, the year and place of his or her birth (specific location and country) and the date of the testimony. Please clearly state that the testimony was recorded within the family circle and submitted to Yad Vashem for safekeeping.
- In order for the testimony to be made available for academic and educational purposes, please make sure to include the witness's written consent, using the attached form, as you submit the testimony to Yad Vashem.
- Our role, as listeners, is, first and foremost, to be there for the survivor, providing the supportive setting which he or she needs in order to meet the task of bearing testimony. The meaning of your support cannot be overstated. Keep in mind that survivors often wish to spare their loved ones the pain of their own experiences, and may thus find it specifically difficult to share their past with them. This is another reason why we should try, as listeners, to reassure the survivor bearing testimony and make him or her as comfortable as we can.
- Accommodate yourself to the Survivor: allow your relative to tell his or her story as he or she sees fit, based on his personality, style and personal touch. It is important for testimony to be conducted so that the survivor feels that he or she is at the heart of it. In order for us to do so, it is important for us, as listeners, to avoid interrupting the survivor's account.
- Survivors will often follow their own personal narrative, which may deviate from the chronological sequence of events. This is perfectly legitimate and does not undermine their testimony's historical validity. Following and respecting your relative's narrative structure will make him or her feel secure. Urging him or her to reorganize their stories, may confuse and distract them. Facing the stress and excitement of bearing testimony, the survivor may often make a mistake or forget to mention an important detail. Tempted though we may be to correct him or her, for the sake of the testimony's accuracy, it is important for us to try to avoid doing so.
- Throughout the testimony, the survivor will probably stop and keep to himself for a moment every once in a while. It is important to accept such pauses as a natural and integral part of bearing testimony. This will allow your relative some space for composure, whenever he or she becomes emotional or may need to reorganize their thoughts.
- Recalling dates and specific historic facts is a challenge for many survivors. As listeners, it is important that we bear this in mind, so that the survivor's account and his chain of thought are not interrupted by such a request. The survivor's confidence in his or her testimony and the supportive setting we have attempted to secure should be prioritized.
These guidelines are meant to serve you as a basic framework for conducting your relative's testimony. We hope they are useful to you, as you set out to listen to his or her testimony.
Remember, there is no one right way to give testimony - or listen to one. Each one of us does it in his or her own unique way. Feel free to be yourself. This is the best way to help your relative open up and share his or her experiences with you.
We wish you and your relative a meaningful experience in this journey you are about embark on together.
We are here to assist you on this process and would be glad to address any further questions you may have.
The Unit for Coordinating Survivors' Testimonies,
Collection & Registration Section
The Yad Vashem Archive
Contact - testimonies@yadvashem.org.il, (+972) 2-6443888