Recording Content:
The recording is a formal interview with Mihai Freundlich. (see also: MDV 287,288,289)
00:00:00
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The team meets Freundlich on the streets of Oradea (Yiddish: Groysvardeyn) and walks to the community center with him to set up the interview. The team also greets Lazar Freund (see MDV 289). |
00:03:08
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The formal interview with Freundlich begins. He provides personal information and provides information Jewish life in Baia Mare before the war. According to Freundlich, approximately one thousand Jewish families lived there. |
00:06:17
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Freundlich speaks about his father and his life before the war. He also addresses his yeshiva education in Şomcuta Mare, Tîrgu Lăpuş and Copalnic-Mănăştur including his daily study routine. |
00:13:47
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Freundlich speaks about his work before holidays as adolescent. Among other things, he worked at a local matzo factory and sang Purim shpiels. Freundlich then addresses his religious school (cheder) education, including beatings by his melamed (teacher) and daily routine. He describes how he went to cheder and a Romanian state school without any leisure time. |
00:21:32
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Freundlich speaks about his family, including his mother's observance. His mother was born in Baia Sprie and his father in Prodănești, near Jibou. Freundlich recalls visits to Baia Sprie and Prodănești during his childhood. |
00:27:09
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Freundlich speaks about his work as adolescent. He then speaks about his father's studies at a yeshiva in Vienna. He then recalls snippets of a Purim shpiel in German, before he addresses his childhood memories. |
00:31:57
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Freundlich speaks about his life today, before he addresses his life before the war. Freundlich joined Zionist youth organizations, including Bener Kivar 32:42 and Habonim. Freundlich continues that he became a communist and was imprisoned. He then describes his life at the beginning of the German invasion during World War II when he encountered a priest while returning to Baia Mare. Freundlich states that he hid in the mountains as communist. |
00:35:59
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Freundlich speaks about his life during the war as POW. He addresses assemblies and planned a deportation to Russia. Freundlich explains that he was ordered to return home instead. |
00:43:04
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Freundlich speaks about cultural life in the Transylvania region before the war. In particular, he addresses theater performances. He then discusses his childhood memories. |
00:46:00
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Freundlich addresses prewar Jewish life in Baia Mare, including the differences and conflicts between hasidim and locals. |
00:52:59
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Freundlich speaks about his family. His sister moved to Argentina and his brother and sister made aliyah. He then speaks about Elizabeta Freundlich's family, in particular her son. Elizabeta's late husband is Freundlich's cousin. |
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