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How were the interviews conducted?

The first major task was to inform potential interviewees and promoting the project. For this purpose, there were 21 coordinating offices all over the world. Witnesses had to contact the USC Shoah Foundation stating their desire to be interviewed. Newspaper add, flyers and word of mouth were the tools for promotion. Jewish congregations and survivor organizations had been of tremendous help in this process.

Volunteer interviewers

In order to conduct the interviews volunteers had been recruited worldwide to support the project. Most of them had been laypersons with a general interest in the topic. In three-to-five-day practically oriented workshops they learned about historic and cultural facts and practiced interview techniques.

Preparation of the interviews

In order to get to know each other and for preparation the interviewer met with the witness one week prior to the interview and together they filled up a 40 pages Pre-Interview Questionnaire. The questionnaire recorded biographical data such as place of birth and residence, information on family members, education as well as persecution and wartime experiences. This information enabled interviewers to prepare in detail for each individual interview. However, the interviewee himself had also the opportunity to prepare for the interview. Before the interview each interviewee had to sign a license agreement.

Interviewing method

The interviews are narrative and biographical, structured by interview questions. On average they last between 2 to 3 hours and cover the biography before, during and after National Socialism. In most cases the interviews were conducted in the homes of the witnesses in their language of choice.

Speaking about traumatic experiences

Many of the survivors had been silent about their stories. For some the interview had been the first time they ever talked about their experiences at all. The interview-situation inevitably goes along with the confrontation of traumatic experiences. Therefore after the interview, the interviewers contacted the interviewees again by phone to inform them about the possibility of psychological help. Later everyone received a copy of their interview.

Download documents of the USC Shoah Foundation: