Eighteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

Over one and a half million Jewish children perished during the Holocaust. Only a few thousands survide by disguising their Jewish identities or by physicqally concealing in attics, cellars,barns, sewers, and convents. My paper will explore the long-life ramification of childhoods spent in hiding and the impact that living in a sheltered Christian environment had on their identity formation, their perspectives, and their behavior in future life. In addition to the sudden rupture with his family, facing Christianity for the first time caused a trauma leaving the child perplexed, confused, and uncertain of his identity. For many hidden children, liberation did not mean the end of their suffering; it was only the beginning of a troubled future. The convent children were physically saved, but emotionally and psychologically damaged.