Eva Mozes Kor: Auschwitz's Twin Survivor

Have you ever wondered what it was like to survive the horrors of Auschwitz? Can you imagine enduring such trauma and still finding the strength to forgive?

Eva Mozes Kor's Auschwitz experience is a testament to human resilience and the power of forgiveness. In her book The Twins of Auschwitz, Eva shares her harrowing journey from a young girl in Romania to a survivor of Nazi experiments.

Read on to discover how Eva's story of survival, healing, and activism continues to inspire people around the world.

Eva and Miriam's Early Life in Romania

Eva Mozes Kor, who would later become known for her harrowing experiences at Auschwitz, was born in the small Romanian village of Portz alongside her twin sister Miriam. As the youngest of four siblings, Eva felt pressure from her father to be more like the son he had hoped for. He often commented on her assertive nature, revealing his deep-seated prejudices – a trait that would ironically help Eva survive the horrors of Auschwitz and become a powerful voice for forgiveness and healing.

In contrast, their mother was well-educated and emphasized the importance of community engagement, academic pursuits, and literature. She ensured the twins always wore matching outfits made from the city's best fabrics.

Family unity was paramount for the Mozes, even as the world around them grew increasingly hostile. Their parents tried to shield Eva and Miriam from the rising tide of anti-Semitism, assuring them that their close community was safe from Nazi hatred.

Growing Hostility Towards Jews

As World War II began and Hungary allied with Nazi Germany, the Mozes family faced escalating prejudice and hostility. Eva and Miriam endured ridicule and physical aggression from their peers at school. Their mother comforted them, stressing the need to endure tough times.

The family's attempts to maintain normalcy were constantly challenged. Their home was bombarded with objects, windows were shattered, and they were forced to seek safety within their own walls. A member of a fascist political faction intensified the danger, ultimately leading to their capture.

Eva's father recognized the perils and supported relocating to Palestine. However, her mother resisted, believing their rural home would protect them. This decision would later be lamented when the opportunity to escape vanished.

The Horrors of Auschwitz

In 1944, at just ten years old, Eva and Miriam were forcibly taken from their home and transported to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Upon arrival, they were immediately separated from their family, never to see their parents or older siblings again.

Mengele's Cruel Experiments

Dr. Josef Mengele selected Eva and Miriam for his infamous twin experiments. They were tattooed with identification numbers - Eva became A-7063, while Miriam was A-7064. Their survival depended entirely on being subjects in Mengele's research.

The twins underwent comprehensive and intrusive evaluations, including iris color comparisons and radiographic scans. They endured numerous injections, blood withdrawals, vaccinations, and intentional infections with diseases like scarlet fever.

Eva suffered from a condition that was likely beriberi or spotted fever, resulting in high fever and acute pain. To survive, she meticulously adjusted her temperature records to deceive Mengele.

Coping With Camp Conditions

Life in Auschwitz was a constant struggle for survival. Eva and Miriam faced severe adversity, including:

• Deplorable living conditions with poor sanitation and ventilation
• Constant hunger and malnutrition
• The task of picking lice off each other
• Psychological trauma from witnessing death and suffering

Despite the terror, the sisters found solace in each other's company. They formed bonds with other imprisoned twins, sharing survival techniques and engaging in tasks like meal preparation together.

Life After Liberation

When Auschwitz was finally liberated, Eva and Miriam faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. They spent two weeks at the camp before embarking on their journey home.

Searching for Survivors

The twins traveled back to Romania, hoping to reunite with any surviving relatives. They were fortunate to find their Aunt Irena and cousin Shmilu, who had also survived Auschwitz. However, upon returning to their farm in Portz, they encountered a heartbreaking scene - a desolate and ransacked residence, silently bearing witness to the absence of their parents.

Starting Anew

Eva and Miriam lived with relatives and found shelter in settlements for displaced individuals. They carefully avoided the common pitfall of excess that often ensnares survivors, eventually seeking sanctuary in an orphanage.

The journey back to a regular life was difficult and fraught with obstacles. They spent time with Mrs. Csengeri and the Goldenthals at various facilities for those who had been uprooted. These protectors offered solace and helped with practical matters like eliminating lice.

Eva's Path to Forgiveness and Activism

After the war, Eva chose a remarkable path of healing and activism. She dedicated her life to raising awareness about the Holocaust and promoting forgiveness.

Founding Candles

In 1985, Eva founded the CANDLES (Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experiments Survivors) organization. Its mission was to support twins who had suffered under Mengele's experiments and to ensure that the horrors of the Holocaust would be permanently imprinted in society's collective memory.

Eva pressed officials to actively seek out Josef Mengele and bring him to justice. She also established the CANDLES Holocaust Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1995. The museum focuses on commemorating the Holocaust and providing educational programs, especially for youth.

Embracing Forgiveness

Eva's journey to forgiveness was controversial but transformative. She argued that forgiving her tormentors, including Dr. Mengele, allowed her to cast off the victim identity thrust upon her by the Holocaust.

Her stance on forgiveness often faced opposition, even from fellow survivors who felt her approach betrayed their collective past. However, Eva remained committed to her belief that forgiveness was essential for healing and reclaiming authority over one's personal narrative.

The Lasting Impact of Auschwitz

The horrors Eva experienced at Auschwitz left deep and lasting scars on her psyche. She frequently experienced nightmares, including visions of large rats and soap bars that seemed to speak with the voices of her departed relatives.

Eva also developed a deep-seated skepticism towards healthcare practitioners, as those often regarded as agents of healing had become associated with the source of her suffering in Auschwitz.

Despite these challenges, Eva remained determined to thrive. She focused on surviving and avoiding thoughts of previous experiences, particularly those connected to her family's struggles during the Holocaust.

Eva's story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty. Through her work with CANDLES and her advocacy for forgiveness, she transformed her traumatic experiences into a force for education and healing, touching countless lives around the world.