The Diary of Mary Berg Growing up in

The Diary of Mary Berg: Growing up in the Warsaw Ghetto

Miriam Wattenberg From Lodz, Poland Fled to Warsaw Mother (Lena), Father (Shya) & Sister (Anna) Father owned an art gallery Wealthier family Mother is an American born citizen Gave whole family protection and privileges

Mary Berg’s Diary Written in 12 spiral notebooks Used a code language First published February 1945 (before the war was over) Warsaw Ghetto: A Diary Shortened last name to Berg Protect family and friends alive in Poland

Warsaw Ghetto First formed November 1940 Mary only 15 -years-old Importance of wealth: bribing Housing, education, labor camps and jobs Surrounded by terror, but led normal lives Formed illegal classes Went to restaurants Mary and friends formed a club: Lodz Artistic Group Raise relief funds: put on plays

Pawiak Prison Citizens of neutral countries were interned European and American countries Mother in contact with a Gestapo agent July 17, 1942: Interned as American citizens With Polish born husband daughters Living conditions Many families within cell Mattresses filled with straw Two meals a day July 22, 1942: The Great Deportation Saw over 300, 000 Jews being deported

Vittel Internment Camp January 18, 1943: Vittel, France Roomed in hotels Luxuries of spas Hospital Movies and entertainment Shops Parks Classes The Red Cross Monthly packaged food Mary volunteered Children’s art classes and playtime

America March 19, 1944: Selected for an exchange with German prisoners in the United States Will not go back to Poland Remembrance of friends and family killed Post 1950 s: Disassociated herself from the diary To forget the past Adult life is unknown

Holocaust & Genocide Education Few diaries/journals been saved Who experienced living in ghettos or concentration camps Survivors passing away Not published again until 2007