Michel Friedman Oskar Schindler

Oskar Schindler: The Man Who Saved 1,200 Jews from the Holocaust

Michel Friedman: The Journalist Who Uncovered Schindler's Story

Introduction

Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist who saved the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. He was a member of the Nazi Party, but he used his position to protect his Jewish workers from the Nazis. Michel Friedman was a Polish-born American journalist who uncovered Schindler's story in the 1960s. His book, "Schindler's List," was later adapted into a film by Steven Spielberg.

Oskar Schindler's Early Life

Oskar Schindler was born in Zwittau, Czechoslovakia, in 1908. He was the son of a factory owner and grew up in a wealthy family. Schindler joined the Nazi Party in 1939, but he was not a committed Nazi. He was more interested in making money than in politics.

Schindler's Factory

In 1940, Schindler opened a factory in Krakow, Poland. He employed about 1,700 workers, most of whom were Jews. Schindler treated his workers well and protected them from the Nazis. He often bribed Nazi officials to keep his workers safe.

The Liquidation of the Krakow Ghetto

In 1943, the Nazis began to liquidate the Krakow Ghetto. Schindler's factory was located in the ghetto, and he was forced to move his workers to a new location. He chose a factory in Brunnlitz, Czechoslovakia.

Schindler's List

As the war progressed, the Nazis became desperate for workers. Schindler used this to his advantage and negotiated with the Nazis to keep his workers alive. He compiled a list of 1,200 Jews who would be exempt from deportation to death camps. This list became known as "Schindler's List."

The Liberation of Brunnlitz

In 1945, the Soviet Army liberated Brunnlitz. Schindler and his workers were freed from the Nazis. Schindler returned to Germany, where he died in 1974. He was buried in Jerusalem, Israel.

Michel Friedman's Role

Michel Friedman was born in Poland in 1924. He survived the Holocaust and immigrated to the United States in 1947. In the 1960s, Friedman began to research the story of Oskar Schindler. He interviewed Schindler's former secretary, Mietek Pemper, and other survivors. Friedman's book, "Schindler's List," was published in 1963.

Conclusion

Oskar Schindler was a complex and controversial figure. He was a member of the Nazi Party, but he saved the lives of 1,200 Jews. Michel Friedman was the journalist who uncovered Schindler's story. His book, "Schindler's List," helped to bring Schindler's story to the world.