Ask a survivor old

History remembered so it's never repeated

Type: Virtual resource
Recommended age: Levels 8–12

This interactive experience allows you to engage with survivor testimony in a unique way.

Instead of listening to a personal account chronologically, you choose from one of 18 common questions – and select the Holocaust survivor to answer it.

This gives you the chance to see the similarities and differences in the survivors’ answers.

Best viewed on a tablet or computer.

A unique chance to engage

Based on student and visitor interactions with our survivors over the years, our education team has carefully curated 18 commonly asked questions.

So you now have the chance to select the question you’re most interested in – and the survivor you’d like to answer it. This will allow you to deepen your engagement and conceptual understanding.

Plus, you’ll get to compare each response – and appreciate the different circumstances of each survivor’s experience.

Awards and recognition

- MAPDA 2020, Program Website (Highly Commended)
- AMaGA Victoria Award 2020, Digital Media (Winner)

- MAGNA 2020, Interpretation, Learning & Audience Engagement (Shortlisted)
- NHK Japan Prize 2020, Digital Media Division (Finalist)
- Victorian Community History Awards 2020, Digital Story Telling Award (Commendation)

I was really touched by how engaged my students were with each of the responses and the empathy generated in the room. You have created a real treasure and we were privileged to enter into the sacredness of their experiences. The interactive experience is easy to use, attractive and so accessible.”

What to expect in Ask a Survivor

A sneak peek into what to expect in this program, and how it works.

VIDEO ABOVE

Meet our featured survivors

Sara Saaroni OAM

Born in Poland, Sarah hid as soon as deportations to Auschwitz began. She survived by pretending to be Christian. This testimony contains material of graphic nature.

Tuvia Lipson

Tuvia and his family were sent into the Lodz Ghetto after the German invasion. Upon arrival at Auschwitz, Tuvia survived the ‘selection’.

Fryda Schweitzer

Fryda was 15 when the war broke out. New laws were introduced immediately in Sosnowiec – and life changed completely for the Jewish people there.

Paul Grinwald

Paul was very young when Germany invaded France. He was hidden throughout the war. And despite many close encounters with Nazis, he survived.

Child safety commitment

All children visiting or engaging with the MHM have a right to be safe, respected and valued.

While our museum deals with difficult themes and material, we are committed to creating and maintaining a child-safe environment. The welfare of children is our priority.

Learning support resources

Browse our free learning resources for parents, teachers and students. These include testimonies, collection items, downloadable discussion guides and learning plans to help you get the most out of this learning experience.

Get resources now

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More about our survivors