testimomy of Joseph Mortkowitz

Joseph Mortkowitz born 7-11-1924 in Lodz Polond , later becoming the largest ghetto created by the Nazis in occupied Poland. He was one of six children, his father was a tailor, and also in the Polish army.Joseph grew up in a section of all Jews and was raised in a very orthodox home, he finished 6th grade ,school was then interupted by the war.He was able to stay in home while 250,000 Jews were enclosed in the ghetto around his section. He worked for the secret police since he was the oldest child he referred to it as slavery, his father had been captured in Russia and they didnt know it. In May of 1940 they were enclosed by wired walls and streetguards were in place and they were made to wear yellow stars. His happiest memory was being reunited with his father and was able to travel to Auschwitz in 1944 on the cattle cart with him and the rest of the family ,they were then seperated he stayed with his father ,brother,and cousin in the Barrick he learned his mother and Siblings were killed.He was taken two weeks later to Mildorf Germany for work, he and his father was in good condition. He got sick in the summer of 1945 and was taken to a sick camp,there was when the americain soldier came in during Liberation and took him to a hospital. In June of 1948 he and his brother left Germany and went to Montreal Canada and stayed until 1949 it was then they came to Chicago and met there Father he has resided in the states ever since. The First sign of anti-semitism in the states was in Albany NY stopping at a country club there was a sign reading "NO Jews.No dogs,No coloreds" He said,"I cant believe that was my first surprise in anti-semitism since 53..."