Hedy

Hedy Fladell

Hedy was born on January 12, 1931, in the town of Sighet, Romania, to a family steeped in the traditions of Orthodox Judaism. She enjoyed a peaceful childhood in her close-knit community until the dark shadow of war swept across Europe. When the Nazis occupied her homeland, Hedy's life was turned upside down. In 1944, she and her family were forced into the Sighet Ghetto, confined under harsh and dehumanizing conditions.
From the ghetto, Hedy was transported to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, one of the most infamous death camps in Poland. There, she faced unimaginable horrors and fought to survive each day amidst the atrocities surrounding her. Later, she was transferred to the Mühldorf concentration camp in Germany, where she endured further hardship, holding onto hope through even the bleakest of times.
In 1945, Hedy’s nightmare finally came to an end when the United States armed forces liberated her in Bavaria, Germany. Her survival is a testament to her resilience and strength. Today,
Hedy’s story stands as a powerful reminder of the endurance of the human spirit and the importance of remembering those who suffered and those who were lost.