Holocaust Remembrance

Riva will be speaking about her experiences as a holocaust survivor. A short ceremony will conclude the event followed by a book signing of Ruth’s book, “The Cage”. Copies of her book can be purchased at the event.

Before the invasion of Poland, Riva’s older siblings fled to Russia to escape forced labor. Riva, her mom and younger siblings are forced to live in the Lodz Ghetto, where younger brother Laibele contracted tuberculosis. On September 10, 1942, their mother was taken out of the ghetto during a Nazi raid, leaving Riva to care for her younger brothers. She adopted them to keep the family together, which lasted until Laibele died and Riva, Motele, and Moishele were rounded up with the other remaining Jews in the ghetto and sent to Auschwitz. Riva and her brothers were separated at the gates.

After a week, Riva was transported to a labor camp in Mittelsteine. There she contracted blood poisoning from cutting her hand, and because she inspired others around her to work harder, she was hospitalized instead of killed. When she recovered, she was sent to the labor camp at Grafenort for the remainder of the war. The camp was liberated by Russian forces. Riva finally got her wish to be free. She moved to the United States of America and started a family.

This event is a collaboration with the University Libraries Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee and the Stony Brook University Jewish Student Association.