Why it matters:
Former Holocaust survivor Nina Gottlieb, who recounted her traumatic experiences during World War II after eight decades of silence in a remarkable and poignant documentary, “Nina & Irena,” has passed away. Her narrative not only unveiled the personal costs of the Holocaust but also added a singular, humane dimension to historical memory and Holocaust education.
What happened:
Nina Gottlieb died on February 4 in Manhasset, New York, at the age of 91. She vividly shared her history, including the chilling loss of her sister Irena and 24 other family members during the Holocaust, in a documentary directed by her grandson Daniel Lombroso. This documentary was not just a testimonial to the horrors of the Holocaust but also a portrayal of the full life Gottlieb led thereafter, emphasizing her resilience and humor.
Documentary Achievements:
Lombroso’s “Nina & Irena,” released in 2023, brought Gottlieb’s personal stories to the forefront, earning recognition as best short film at Telluride’s Mountainfilm Festival and securing a spot among the shortlisted contenders at DOC NYC, positioning it as an Oscar hopeful. Proudly family-made, the film enriched Jewish heritage narratives and impacted viewers on the film fest circuit globally.
A highlight:
In a poignant acknowledgment of her story and its impact, Nina Gottlieb received an invitation to celebrate Hanukkah in December at the vice president’s residence with Kamala Harris in Washington, D.C.
Her early life:
Born in Kielce, Poland, Nina Vogel—later Gottlieb—had her childhood disrupted by the invasion of Hitler’s forces. She attributed her survival, alongside her parents, to her father’s ingenuity in danger-ridden circumstances. However, her sister Irena went missing in search of relatives, adding a profoundly personal tragedy to Gottlieb’s war experience.
Life after the war:
Post-war, Nina’s family made stops in Europe before settling in the United States in 1951. Nina, a vibrant presence on Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, worked hard in various capacities beyond her responsibilities as a mother and wife. Driven and passionate, she became an accountant and controller for notable organizations, including the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
Legacy:
Gottlieb’s passing was lamented by her family, who treasure memories of her as an adept bridge player and outdoors enthusiast. She leaves behind two children, a loving ensemble of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a legacy of familial love, educational significance through her story, and an indelible mark on the history of Holocaust narrative and remembrance.
In her own words:
Before passing, Gottlieb explained her long-held silence on the subject of her ordeal during a PBS interview, saying that the topic of the Holocaust wasn’t spoken about widely before and her perspective only found an eager audience with her grandson’s initiative to film her life story, shedding light on the alienation many survivors felt in speaking out.
Her life’s resonance:
Through the artistry of her grandson’s film and the breadth of her own experiences, Nina Gottlieb achieved not only a personal catharsis but also contributed to a historical record that will educate future generations on the complexities of life during and after the Holocaust. Her journey and laughter despite her painful past will influence how the narrative of resilience and the enduring human spirit is understood.
This story was first published on jpost.com.