Editor’s note: Israel Arbeiter, a prominent Holocaust survivor from Newton, died on Oct. 29, 2021, at age 96. He was the founder and former president of the American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors of Greater Boston. This interview was conducted in March 2020.
Israel “Izzy” Arbeiter was only 14 when he was imprisoned by the Nazis. Originally from Płock, Poland, Izzy survived six concentration camps before being liberated on his 20th birthday in 1945.
We sat down with Izzy and his wife, Anna Arbeiter (also a Holocaust survivor), in early March to hear his story of survival, loss, love, resilience and strength. After sharing his testimony, Izzy answers some of our questions, with occasional commentary from Anna and their daughter, Fran Rotman. (The conversation was also recorded as a video here.)
Edited by Tyler M. Andrews, with music by Ryan J. Sullivan.
