Philip Riteman

Philip Riteman is an Auschwitz survivor. He was fourteen years of age when he and his family were captured along with other Jews from his home in Szereszow. Luckily, he was able to pass as an eighteen year old because of his large build, saving his life. He worked and slaved for the Nazis from 1939 until May 2nd, 1945. His personal identification number was 98,706.

Life at Auschwitz

At the time of his selection, he lied and told the Nazi guard that he was, in fact a seventeen year old locksmith (who would be turning eighteen in about a month), ultimately saving his life. The Nazis had need of individuals between eighteen years and forty five years that had any practical skill. In fact, he was only fourteen and had no such profession. He later worked as a general laborer around Auschwitz and other various concentration camps. Eventually, he and many others were moved up a nearby mountain for the purpose of the Nazi's defense, (Americans had reached the area by this time and were fighting for liberation). After several months, he and his fellow prisoners awoke only to silence, and a lack of German soldiers (May 2nd, 1945). Looking down and away from the mountain, they saw the Americans coming to their aid. The soldiers eventually had to leave the prisoners (who were now liberated) and pursue the Nazis. However, returning to camps, they received food, appropriate shelter, and medical attention from the American Army, who had conquered the area.

After liberation

After he was liberated, and while still in the camp, he received multiple letters from three aunts: two were his mother's sisters, one living in Newfoundland and one living in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and one aunt was his father's youngest sister, living in Brooklyn, New York. At the time, Riteman was completely unaware that they existed, and was sure that the letters were false, mean jokes. However, the aunts had already been in contact with each other and agreed that Philip should settle in Newfoundland. At first, the Canadian government wouldn't allow any Jewish people into the country due to effects of the war. However, the Newfoundland government wasn't yet part of the Canadian structure, thus he was allowed to enter. Philip Riteman arrived in Newfoundland in August 1946. He lived there and started a business, and not speaking English, he was able to establish a successful business selling clothing articles door to door. He resided in Newfoundland until 1980 when in moved to Nova Scotia. He travels across North America telling his story at public & private schools, community centres and universities.

References

[http://www.mun.ca/marcomm/gazette/issues/vol38no12/riteman.php Memorial University, Newfoundland]
[http://www.holderness.org/article.asp?ID=844 Holderness Article]