Mala Zimetbaum - Camp Life

Camp Life

She spent nearly two years in Auschwitz-Birkenau as Inmate No. 19880. Due to her proficiency in languages – French, Dutch, German, Polish, and Italian – she was assigned work as an interpreter and courier.

While she herself had a relatively privileged position, she devoted herself to helping other inmates. She interceded to have inmates sent to easier work when she suspected they were not fit for harder work. She sneaked photographs that inmates' relatives had sent them out of the files and to the inmates as they were not allowed to have them in the camp. Mala also got food and medicine for people in need, cheered people up and encouraged them. She was also trusted by staff and prisoners alike.

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