Janet Singer Applefield

The word Holocaust conjures up so many emotions for people even now, almost 80 years later. You have an incredibly unique vantage point as an actual survivor of that event.

The word Holocaust conjures up so many emotions for people even now, almost 80 years later. You have an incredibly unique vantage point as an actual survivor of that event.

And miraculously, my dad found me.

And miraculously, my dad found me.

So tell us about your perspective and share your story of how old you were when your home in Poland was invaded, how your small town was impacted, what happened to your family and how this whole thing came about for you that you're still a survivor.

So tell us about your perspective and share your story of how old you were when your home in Poland was invaded, how your small town was impacted, what happened to your family and how this whole thing came about for you that you're still a survivor.

No way.

No way.

But he found me. And we eventually immigrated to the United States.

But he found me. And we eventually immigrated to the United States.

So when you were reunited with your father, he had been in the slave labor camp. And when he found you, he insisted you give him all the details of the time you were separated so he could make sure it was documented. It was those handwritten pages rediscovered years later that started the new road of discovery for you. How was your father able to survive? What happened to your mother?

So when you were reunited with your father, he had been in the slave labor camp. And when he found you, he insisted you give him all the details of the time you were separated so he could make sure it was documented. It was those handwritten pages rediscovered years later that started the new road of discovery for you. How was your father able to survive? What happened to your mother?

And what was it like rediscovering the details of your escape as an adult? What was it like?

And what was it like rediscovering the details of your escape as an adult? What was it like?

Well, it was very, very sad and very tragic because the day that they gave me away, there was an order issued that all the people from that town and the surrounding towns had three days to report in an area outside of Krakow called Wieliczka. So they went there, although independently, because they decided to separate from each other. Their thinking was that if they were separate,

Well, it was very, very sad and very tragic because the day that they gave me away, there was an order issued that all the people from that town and the surrounding towns had three days to report in an area outside of Krakow called Wieliczka. So they went there, although independently, because they decided to separate from each other. Their thinking was that if they were separate,

maybe one of them would survive so when they arrived at that appointed place there was a selection and my father was one of thousand men that were selected for slave labor another approximately thousand old people and children were selected and they were directly taken to the forest and shot And the remaining people were put onto boxcars, 53 boxcars. And my mother was a victim of that selection.

maybe one of them would survive so when they arrived at that appointed place there was a selection and my father was one of thousand men that were selected for slave labor another approximately thousand old people and children were selected and they were directly taken to the forest and shot And the remaining people were put onto boxcars, 53 boxcars. And my mother was a victim of that selection.

And they were sent to Belzec, a death camp. And so my mother and my grandmother, many of my relatives were victims of that camp.

And they were sent to Belzec, a death camp. And so my mother and my grandmother, many of my relatives were victims of that camp.

What was your original name?

What was your original name?

I was born Gustava. And then my family called me Gija, which means baby.

I was born Gustava. And then my family called me Gija, which means baby.

Okay.

Okay.

But I was never Gustavo again.

But I was never Gustavo again.

But that still has a place in your heart.

But that still has a place in your heart.

It does.

It does.

What was your last name?

What was your last name?

Singer.

Singer.

So that's why you have the singer still in the middle, right?

So that's why you have the singer still in the middle, right?

Yes.

Yes.

Did you find a sense of forgiveness for the people that wronged your family? Or is there still a piece of your heart that has a hard time with that?

Did you find a sense of forgiveness for the people that wronged your family? Or is there still a piece of your heart that has a hard time with that?

I'm very fortunate because my dad, who was my hero, did not believe in general responsibility. He felt that there were good Germans and bad Germans, good Poles, bad Poles. And because of that, I adopted the same philosophy. I judge people on the basis of their character and actions. I will never forget what happened, but I'm not hateful. And of course, I don't know who I can forgive.

I'm very fortunate because my dad, who was my hero, did not believe in general responsibility. He felt that there were good Germans and bad Germans, good Poles, bad Poles. And because of that, I adopted the same philosophy. I judge people on the basis of their character and actions. I will never forget what happened, but I'm not hateful. And of course, I don't know who I can forgive.

Well, I was born in Krakow, Poland, and I lived with my family in a little town 50 miles south of the city of Krakow. And I had a wonderful, idyllic childhood there. first grandchild in the family. I was loved. I was pampered. September 1st, 1939, all this came to an abrupt end. At first, my family tried many, many attempts to escape. We first ran away to Russia. Then we returned.

Well, I was born in Krakow, Poland, and I lived with my family in a little town 50 miles south of the city of Krakow. And I had a wonderful, idyllic childhood there. first grandchild in the family. I was loved. I was pampered. September 1st, 1939, all this came to an abrupt end. At first, my family tried many, many attempts to escape. We first ran away to Russia. Then we returned.

For me, forgiveness means that someone has to acknowledge what they did wrong and then have some remorse, and then I could forgive. But there's no one I can forgive.

For me, forgiveness means that someone has to acknowledge what they did wrong and then have some remorse, and then I could forgive. But there's no one I can forgive.

And after so many attempts to escape, my parents ran out of options. And they made this amazing, most difficult decision of their lives, and that is to give me away. And for the several years after that, three and a half years to be exact, I was with different caregivers. I was away from my family. My identity was changed completely. several times, and I ended up on the street.

And after so many attempts to escape, my parents ran out of options. And they made this amazing, most difficult decision of their lives, and that is to give me away. And for the several years after that, three and a half years to be exact, I was with different caregivers. I was away from my family. My identity was changed completely. several times, and I ended up on the street.

I was abandoned, and I was picked up by a righteous Christian woman. Ended up on a farm where I spent most of the time with very kind people. I always knew I was Jewish, but I was able to keep my Jewish identity a secret. I was just seven years old when I was separated from my parents. But I was able to keep that a secret. And I ended up in an orphanage after the war.

I was abandoned, and I was picked up by a righteous Christian woman. Ended up on a farm where I spent most of the time with very kind people. I always knew I was Jewish, but I was able to keep my Jewish identity a secret. I was just seven years old when I was separated from my parents. But I was able to keep that a secret. And I ended up in an orphanage after the war.

We still have to be careful how we speak to our children.

We still have to be careful how we speak to our children.

Well, I'm very honored and proud because I was invited to speak to the Massachusetts state legislature in 2021. Right after that, a law was passed, genocide education mandate, to provide this education to all middle schools and high schools. So only 23 states in our country have passed such laws. So I'm very proud of that.

Well, I'm very honored and proud because I was invited to speak to the Massachusetts state legislature in 2021. Right after that, a law was passed, genocide education mandate, to provide this education to all middle schools and high schools. So only 23 states in our country have passed such laws. So I'm very proud of that.

It's that have banned books that teach important subjects.

It's that have banned books that teach important subjects.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Thank you. I think it's important to be informed, to be proactive, to be kind, and do as much as one can to promote social justice.

Thank you. I think it's important to be informed, to be proactive, to be kind, and do as much as one can to promote social justice.

I have a website, JanetApplefield.com, and I'm on social media, Facebook and Instagram, and that handle is at JanetApplefield. And through the website, the book is available on Amazon and on Barnes & Noble and all the other bookstores.

I have a website, JanetApplefield.com, and I'm on social media, Facebook and Instagram, and that handle is at JanetApplefield. And through the website, the book is available on Amazon and on Barnes & Noble and all the other bookstores.

Oh, thank you so much.

Oh, thank you so much.

Thank you so much for having me.

Thank you so much for having me.

Well, I was born in Krakow, Poland, and I lived with my family in a little town 50 miles south of the city of Krakow. And I had a wonderful, idyllic childhood. First grandchild in the family. I was loved. I was pampered. September 1st, 1939, all this came to an abrupt end. At first, my family tried many, many attempts to escape. We first ran away to Russia, then we returned.

Well, I was born in Krakow, Poland, and I lived with my family in a little town 50 miles south of the city of Krakow. And I had a wonderful, idyllic childhood. First grandchild in the family. I was loved. I was pampered. September 1st, 1939, all this came to an abrupt end. At first, my family tried many, many attempts to escape. We first ran away to Russia, then we returned.

And after so many attempts to escape, my parents ran out of options. And they made this amazing, most difficult decision of their lives, and that is to give me away. And for the several years after that, three and a half years to be exact, I was with different caregivers. I was away from my family. My identity was changed completely. several times, and I ended up on the street.

And after so many attempts to escape, my parents ran out of options. And they made this amazing, most difficult decision of their lives, and that is to give me away. And for the several years after that, three and a half years to be exact, I was with different caregivers. I was away from my family. My identity was changed completely. several times, and I ended up on the street.

I was abandoned, and I was picked up by a righteous Christian woman. Ended up on a farm where I spent most of the time with very kind people. I always knew I was Jewish, but I was able to keep my Jewish identity a secret. I was just seven years old when I was separated from my parents. But I was able to keep that a secret. And I ended up in an orphanage after the war.

I was abandoned, and I was picked up by a righteous Christian woman. Ended up on a farm where I spent most of the time with very kind people. I always knew I was Jewish, but I was able to keep my Jewish identity a secret. I was just seven years old when I was separated from my parents. But I was able to keep that a secret. And I ended up in an orphanage after the war.

And miraculously, my dad found me.

And miraculously, my dad found me.

But he found me. And we eventually immigrated to the United States.

But he found me. And we eventually immigrated to the United States.

I remember only that I was crying. My parents were crying. We were hugging. We were kissing. My parents said we would be reunited soon. I should be brave and I should be good. And that's what I remember about that fateful day.

I remember only that I was crying. My parents were crying. We were hugging. We were kissing. My parents said we would be reunited soon. I should be brave and I should be good. And that's what I remember about that fateful day.

Well, she was a very kind woman. And I wanted to call her mother. And she said to me, you only have one mother. Call me aunt. So I called her aunt, Genya. And when the war ended, my cousin's father, I was with my cousin who was very brutal to me. First, I was with one person, one woman. And then my care was taken over by a cousin who was brutal and violent and abused me.

Well, she was a very kind woman. And I wanted to call her mother. And she said to me, you only have one mother. Call me aunt. So I called her aunt, Genya. And when the war ended, my cousin's father, I was with my cousin who was very brutal to me. First, I was with one person, one woman. And then my care was taken over by a cousin who was brutal and violent and abused me.

The war ended. Her dad found me, but he turned me over to a refugee center in Krakow. And that's where I ended up. And from there, I went to an orphanage and my father found me.

The war ended. Her dad found me, but he turned me over to a refugee center in Krakow. And that's where I ended up. And from there, I went to an orphanage and my father found me.

Well, it was very, very sad and very tragic because the day that they gave me away, there was an order issued that all the people from that town and the surrounding towns had three days to report in an area outside of Krakow. called Wieliczka. So they went there, although independently, because they decided to separate from each other.

Well, it was very, very sad and very tragic because the day that they gave me away, there was an order issued that all the people from that town and the surrounding towns had three days to report in an area outside of Krakow. called Wieliczka. So they went there, although independently, because they decided to separate from each other.

Their thinking was that if they were separate, maybe one of them would survive. So when they arrived at that appointed place, there was a selection. And my father was one of 1,000 men that were selected for slave labor. Another approximately 1,000 old people and children were And they were directly taken to the forest and shot. And the remaining people were put onto boxcars, 53 boxcars.

Their thinking was that if they were separate, maybe one of them would survive. So when they arrived at that appointed place, there was a selection. And my father was one of 1,000 men that were selected for slave labor. Another approximately 1,000 old people and children were And they were directly taken to the forest and shot. And the remaining people were put onto boxcars, 53 boxcars.

And my mother was a victim of that selection. And they were sent to Belzec, a death camp. And so my mother and my grandmother, many of my relatives were victims of that camp.

And my mother was a victim of that selection. And they were sent to Belzec, a death camp. And so my mother and my grandmother, many of my relatives were victims of that camp.

So my story has evolved over time. I first thought that my mother was killed in Auschwitz, and then later on I thought she was shot. But in 2012, I was contacted by a young Polish historian. She had lived in my town, and she always wondered what happened to the Jewish population there. of that town, and she found me on the internet.

So my story has evolved over time. I first thought that my mother was killed in Auschwitz, and then later on I thought she was shot. But in 2012, I was contacted by a young Polish historian. She had lived in my town, and she always wondered what happened to the Jewish population there. of that town, and she found me on the internet.

And after we were reunited, I learned that she was writing a dissertation on the Holocaust, and she did a huge amount of research on my family. She was the one who found out exactly what happened to all my family members, not only my mom, but my grandparents and uncles and other family members.

And after we were reunited, I learned that she was writing a dissertation on the Holocaust, and she did a huge amount of research on my family. She was the one who found out exactly what happened to all my family members, not only my mom, but my grandparents and uncles and other family members.

Yes, I've been back to Poland four times and each time the trip has been a little different for me. The first time I was obviously very nervous and I really didn't want to enjoy myself. I didn't consider it a vacation. I knocked on the door of the family that saved me, not knowing who I would find. and they were still there in the same apartment and greeted me with open arms.

Yes, I've been back to Poland four times and each time the trip has been a little different for me. The first time I was obviously very nervous and I really didn't want to enjoy myself. I didn't consider it a vacation. I knocked on the door of the family that saved me, not knowing who I would find. and they were still there in the same apartment and greeted me with open arms.

Each time I have been in Poland, I've spoken in different places, and I was reunited with the family that saved me. Wow. It was very emotional. My family stayed downstairs, and I climbed up three flights of steps, and I knocked on the door, and they opened the door, and The parents were already deceased, but the children, the adult children were still there. And it was very emotional.

Each time I have been in Poland, I've spoken in different places, and I was reunited with the family that saved me. Wow. It was very emotional. My family stayed downstairs, and I climbed up three flights of steps, and I knocked on the door, and they opened the door, and The parents were already deceased, but the children, the adult children were still there. And it was very emotional.

Then my family came up and then they pulled out photographs of me, which was amazing. You know, my family couldn't believe I was there, you know, seven years old.

Then my family came up and then they pulled out photographs of me, which was amazing. You know, my family couldn't believe I was there, you know, seven years old.

Well, for me, it was very confusing having to change my name several times. It was a loss because I didn't understand what was happening. You know, no one really explained what was going on. Being so young, I didn't have the concept of war, what it really meant. So it's been slightly hard for me to adjust to the different situations. names and accept those names.

Well, for me, it was very confusing having to change my name several times. It was a loss because I didn't understand what was happening. You know, no one really explained what was going on. Being so young, I didn't have the concept of war, what it really meant. So it's been slightly hard for me to adjust to the different situations. names and accept those names.

Because when I came to this country, the first day of school, my uncle brought me to a school and he said to me, what name do you want? You have to have an American name. So right on the spot, I had to choose a name.

Because when I came to this country, the first day of school, my uncle brought me to a school and he said to me, what name do you want? You have to have an American name. So right on the spot, I had to choose a name.

Again, so I chose the name, I said Jeannette, because we had a French cousin who lived in Paris. She used to visit us in the summertime, and she was beautiful and glamorous. She had long red nails, and her name was Jeannette. So I said Jeannette, and my uncle turned to the school secretary and said, her name is Janet. Suddenly, I was Janet.

Again, so I chose the name, I said Jeannette, because we had a French cousin who lived in Paris. She used to visit us in the summertime, and she was beautiful and glamorous. She had long red nails, and her name was Jeannette. So I said Jeannette, and my uncle turned to the school secretary and said, her name is Janet. Suddenly, I was Janet.

So over time, I thought about changing back my name, but I never did.

So over time, I thought about changing back my name, but I never did.

I was born Gustava, and then my family called me Gija, which means baby.

I was born Gustava, and then my family called me Gija, which means baby.

But I was never Gustava again.

But I was never Gustava again.

It does.

It does.

Singer.

Singer.

Yes.

Yes.

I always tried to understand human nature. I didn't understand what made people, some people evil and others good. And I chose a profession of social work because I thought I could do a little research and get a better understanding of people and human nature. Because so many survivors turned to the helping professions. It's really interesting.

I always tried to understand human nature. I didn't understand what made people, some people evil and others good. And I chose a profession of social work because I thought I could do a little research and get a better understanding of people and human nature. Because so many survivors turned to the helping professions. It's really interesting.

I'm very fortunate because my dad, who was my hero, did not believe in general responsibility. He felt that there were good Germans and bad Germans, good Poles, bad Poles. And because of that, I adopted the same philosophy. I judge people on the basis of their character and actions. I will never forget what happened, but I'm not hateful. And of course, I don't know who I can forgive.

I'm very fortunate because my dad, who was my hero, did not believe in general responsibility. He felt that there were good Germans and bad Germans, good Poles, bad Poles. And because of that, I adopted the same philosophy. I judge people on the basis of their character and actions. I will never forget what happened, but I'm not hateful. And of course, I don't know who I can forgive.

For me, forgiveness means that someone has to acknowledge what they did wrong and then have some remorse and then I could forgive. But there's no one I can forgive.

For me, forgiveness means that someone has to acknowledge what they did wrong and then have some remorse and then I could forgive. But there's no one I can forgive.

Legacy means that what I leave behind has some meaning. I speak to thousands of people a year, approximately 4,000 students, mostly students, middle school and high school. And I feel that It's my responsibility to try to stop hate, to impress awareness and understanding of the history and inspire people to be good people.

Legacy means that what I leave behind has some meaning. I speak to thousands of people a year, approximately 4,000 students, mostly students, middle school and high school. And I feel that It's my responsibility to try to stop hate, to impress awareness and understanding of the history and inspire people to be good people.

Because what's interesting about my memoir is that ordinary people did wonderful things and terrible things. And I think I want people to know that and understand that. Even the smallest acts of kindness have a ripple effect.

Because what's interesting about my memoir is that ordinary people did wonderful things and terrible things. And I think I want people to know that and understand that. Even the smallest acts of kindness have a ripple effect.

A student came up to me very sheepishly and sort of secretly after I spoke to an auditorium filled with 1,100 students. This young man came up and he asked, he said, how do I speak to my family who are racist? Because here in school, I'm learning about being a good person and accepting people for who they are and not be hateful. And then at home, I hear, otherwise, how do I speak to them?

A student came up to me very sheepishly and sort of secretly after I spoke to an auditorium filled with 1,100 students. This young man came up and he asked, he said, how do I speak to my family who are racist? Because here in school, I'm learning about being a good person and accepting people for who they are and not be hateful. And then at home, I hear, otherwise, how do I speak to them?

I was very touched that he trusted me and he was able to ask that question. And I gave him a few suggestions. And later on, he emailed me, and I was very fortunate and very happy that he was able to engage his family in a conversation that was ongoing. And I'm not sure if he completely changed their minds, but at least they were having a conversation.

I was very touched that he trusted me and he was able to ask that question. And I gave him a few suggestions. And later on, he emailed me, and I was very fortunate and very happy that he was able to engage his family in a conversation that was ongoing. And I'm not sure if he completely changed their minds, but at least they were having a conversation.

And I've had so many students write to me, thousands of letters. One girl wrote, you were so brave and you helped me to be braver. You know, we all have stories and we all deal with difficult circumstances in our lives. It's what you do with those experiences, right?

And I've had so many students write to me, thousands of letters. One girl wrote, you were so brave and you helped me to be braver. You know, we all have stories and we all deal with difficult circumstances in our lives. It's what you do with those experiences, right?

Well, sadly, the world today is very divided, more so than ever in my lifetime. And I think hearing my experiences and hopefully learning some lessons from that, hopefully it does help some people to change and to Be proactive and stand up to injustice. And I think today we all need to be proactive and stand up to hatred.

Well, sadly, the world today is very divided, more so than ever in my lifetime. And I think hearing my experiences and hopefully learning some lessons from that, hopefully it does help some people to change and to Be proactive and stand up to injustice. And I think today we all need to be proactive and stand up to hatred.

I admit they're very difficult, but I think it's important to speak with children because I remember in my situation, my parents did not explain what was going on. I just knew something terrible and dangerous was happening because they were crying. They were whispering because they didn't want me to know what was happening.

I admit they're very difficult, but I think it's important to speak with children because I remember in my situation, my parents did not explain what was going on. I just knew something terrible and dangerous was happening because they were crying. They were whispering because they didn't want me to know what was happening.

So I think it's important for children to have some explanation of what's happening. And the conversation has to be geared to the appropriate age. The language has to be correct so that the children are not frightened. I think it has to be a conversation that ends with some hopefulness, And that is not very negative, even though events in our news is very negative.

So I think it's important for children to have some explanation of what's happening. And the conversation has to be geared to the appropriate age. The language has to be correct so that the children are not frightened. I think it has to be a conversation that ends with some hopefulness, And that is not very negative, even though events in our news is very negative.