The Diary of Mary Berg:

Growing up in the Warsaw Ghetto

Miriam WattenbergFrom Lodz, Poland

Fled to Warsaw

Mother (Lena), Father (Shya) & Sister (Anna)

Father owned an art gallery

Wealthier family

Mother is an American born citizenGave whole family protection and privileges

Mary Berg’s Diary

Written in 12 spiral notebooksUsed a code language

First published February 1945 (before the war was over)

Warsaw Ghetto: A Diary

Shortened last name to BergProtect family and friends alive in Poland

Warsaw GhettoFirst formed November 1940

Mary only 15-years-old

Importance of wealth: bribingHousing, education, labor camps and jobs

Surrounded by terror, but led normal livesFormed illegal classesWent to restaurants

Mary and friends formed a club: Lodz Artistic Group

Raise relief funds: put on plays

Pawiak PrisonCitizens of neutral countries were interned

European and American countries

Mother in contact with a Gestapo agentJuly 17, 1942: Interned as American citizens

With Polish born husband and daughters

Living conditionsMany families within cellMattresses filled with strawTwo meals a day

July 22, 1942: The Great DeportationSaw over 300,000 Jews being deported

Vittel Internment Camp

January 18, 1943: Vittel, FranceRoomed in hotelsLuxuries of spasHospitalMovies and entertainmentShopsParksClasses

The Red CrossMonthly packaged food

Mary volunteeredChildren’s art classes and playtime

AmericaMarch 19, 1944: Selected for an exchange with German prisoners in the United States

Will not go back to Poland

Remembrance of friends and family killed

Post 1950s: Disassociated herself from

the diaryTo forget the pastAdult life is unknown

Holocaust & Genocide Education

Few diaries/journals been savedWho experienced living in ghettos or concentration camps

Survivors passing away

Not published again until 2007