Kestenberg Archive - Depositions

Estera Beller was born in 1934. She last saw her parents in June 1943 in Sosnowiec before her parents were deported. Before the Jews of her town were liquidated to the ghetto, Beller was given to a Polish woman, who kicked her out. Beller returned to her old home, but found no-one and unable to care for herself, she reported to the Gestapo. After much questioning and multiple beatings, she admitted that she was Jewish. Beller was sent to Auschwitz, and selected for gassing. Fortunately, the camp leader chose Beller as her runner, thus saving her life. Beller remained in Auschwitz, living under the camp leader's supervision. As the Soviets neared and the camp was to be liquidated, Beller was sent to Langenbielau labor camp, where she walked 8 km every day. Due to Beller's young age, she was helped by other prisoners particularly Hawa Dziewiecka. In Langenbielau, she discovered her aunt and cousins were alive and this gave her motivation to survive. At the time of the deposition, she was living with her aunt Dina Tauber. The deposition was conducted on Victory Day, May 7th 1945.