Max Fischel

"Never forget what the Germans did to the Jews."

Name at birth

Motek Fischel

Date of birth

09/23/1921

Where were you born?

Bedzin, Poland

Where did you grow up?

Bedzin, Poland

Name of father, occupation

Meyer Fischel, Food merchant

Maiden name of mother, occupation

Pearl Lefkowitz, Homemaker

Immediate family (names, birth order)

Parents, Binka, myself (Motek), Bacha, Victor and Fela

How many in entire extended family?

Who survived the Holocaust?

Binka, Fela and myself

I grew up in a comfortable household. I had a very happy childhood and many friends. I finished public school and did very well in school. I was taken to a labor camp in 1940.

Name of Concentration / Labor Camp(s)

Finftichen / Flossenbürg / Gross Rosen / Johannsdorf / Markstadt

Where did you go after being liberated?

Weiden, Germany

When did you come to the United States?

1949

Where did you settle?

Detroit, Michigan

Occupation after the war

Plumber

When and where were you married?

November 5, 1946 in Weiden, Germany

Spouse

Sophie, Homemaker

Children

William, attorney; Barbara, psychologist

Grandchildren

Five

What do you think helped you to survive?

I had a good friend who worked in the kitchen in concentration camps. He smuggled food to me. I also had a relatively good plumbing job in the camps that allowed me to survive. I have always had an optimistic attitude in life.

What message would you like to leave for future generations?

Never forget what the Germans did to the Jews.