Edith’s parents were originally from Poland; her mother was from Bzozov and her father was from Cracow. They moved to Germany for better opportunities. Edith’s father served in the German army in World War I and was awarded the Iron Cross.
Photographs of Edith as a girl with her brother Walter Finer
She attended school at Shamshon Raphael Hirsch, the Ra-al Shule (school) in Frankfurt. She always loved beautiful surroundings and she became an artist and a decorator later in her life.
Her father was described as being very gentle and he loved opera. She used to visit her grandparents in Poland periodically.
She was close to her parents, learned Shakespeare in school, and lived a traditional Jewish life.
Her father was taken to Theresienstadt and later Sachsenhausen concentration camps where he perished in 1940.
Passport Photo of Edith when she came to America at the age of 16
Edith left Germany in 1939 and traveled by herself by ship to Boston. A Jewish agency helped her find a home in Boston. Rose Goldfein took her in with two other children from England. Edith was almost 16 when she came to America.
Her two brothers left Germany in April 1938 or 1939, settled in Boston, and were also adopted. Edith’s mother sent her a letter and a photograph after she had arrived in Boston. Her mother was never heard from again.
Edith learned in English while in Germany. She was asked to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school even though she was a newcomer from Germany. She recited the Pledge with much confidence; she was very positive and vivacious in general.
She wanted to study acting and moved to New York to Greenwich Village. She was in an off-Broadway play but had difficulty getting parts because of her German accent. She started painting and became a member of the Artist’s Club of New York. The club included such artists as Jackson Pollack, William De Kooning, Jan Rolants, and later Peter Max.
On the side, she was a photographer and a hostess in a restaurant. She became friends with Gloria Spira, who was able to get two young girls off of the infamous ship, St. Louis while it was in Cuba.
She met her husband Carl Sarett in 1957 and they were married in 1959.
In 1971, they moved to New Orleans. Carl was later appointed a federal administrative judge in New Orleans.
The couple had twins, Rick Sarett and Lisa Berger. Rick is in sales and Lisa is a homemaker. Rick’s wife, Tonya, is the director of the Holocaust museum in Monsey, New York
When did you come to the United States?
Lisa moved to Detroit in 1995 and her parents were frequent visitors.
Where did you settle?
Detroit, Michigan
Occupation after the war
Artist and photographer
Spouse
Carl Sarett,
Federal Administrative Judge
Children
Rick and Lisa
Grandchildren
Aaron, Miriam, Rafi, Shulamis, Leah, Shoshana, Yael, Shragga, Eliyahu, Simcha, and Yonah Great grandchildren Yocheved and Hadassah (Esther)
What do you think helped you to survive?
She made a decision to look forward not backward. She felt that her parents were in heaven looking down and watching out for her. She was not at all bitter, was very energetic, vivacious, and talented, a real personality. She was always doing and always looking to the future, what’s the next project. She was an artist who painted over 300 paintings. She enjoyed being a homemaker. She was beautiful, had a friendly nature and much charm.
What message would you like to leave for future generations?
Love life, be active, and love people. Life is good, life is beautiful.
Interviewer:
As told by Lisa Berger, her daughter and Carl Sarett, her husband
Interview date:
06/04/2012
Survivor's map
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