![I Have Lived a Thousand Years – Growing up in the Holocaust](https://www.yadvashem.org/sites/default/files/51SB2C8CCWL.jpg)
I Have Lived a Thousand Years – Growing up in the Holocaust
Sunday to Thursday: 09:00-17:00
Fridays and Holiday eves: 09:00-14:00
Yad Vashem is closed on Saturdays and all Jewish Holidays.
Entrance to the Holocaust History Museum is not permitted for children under the age of 10. Babies in strollers or carriers will not be permitted to enter.
I Have Lived a Thousand Years – Growing up in the Holocaust
I Have Lived a Thousand Years: Growing up in the Holocaust
Livia Bitton-Jackson
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1997
216 pages
The author, whose former name was Elli Friedmann, lives a happy carefree life in her village of Somorja, Czechoslovakia, set in the beautiful Carpathian foothills. She writes of the life of any thirteen-year-old who has only the future to look forward to. But everything changes for her in March, 1944, when the Nazis invade Hungary. Her school closes, and soon a normal existence is a thing of the past. Elli, her mother, and brother are sent to a ghetto in Nagymagyar and from there to Auschwitz, Plaszow, Augsburg, and other camps where she describes from her teenage perspective what she experiences. Livia Bitton-Jackson has written her memoir for the third generation so they should remember what happened. Hers is a story of unimaginable brutality, but also of faith, hope, and courage, exemplified by her closing message: Never give up.
There is a useful appendix at the back of the book, which chronicles the events from September, 1938, when Hungarian troops occupy Somorja, to September, 1945, when Elli, her mother, and her brother immigrate to the United States. There is also a chronology of historical events and a glossary of terms.
We would recommend this book for grades 10 upwards. Teachers should take note to explain to their students that there are some graphic descriptions of death and brutality in the book.
Thank you for registering to receive information from Yad Vashem.
You will receive periodic updates regarding recent events, publications and new initiatives.
"The work of Yad Vashem is critical and necessary to remind the world of the consequences of hate"
Paul Daly
#GivingTuesday
Donate to Educate Against Hate
Worldwide antisemitism is on the rise.
At Yad Vashem, we strive to make the world a better place by combating antisemitism through teacher training, international lectures and workshops and online courses.
We need you to partner with us in this vital mission to #EducateAgainstHate
The good news:
The Yad Vashem website had recently undergone a major upgrade!
The less good news:
The page you are looking for has apparently been moved.
We are therefore redirecting you to what we hope will be a useful landing page.
For any questions/clarifications/problems, please contact: webmaster@yadvashem.org.il
Press the X button to continue