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The My Voice Project is a unique initiative by The Fed, Manchester's leading social care charity serving the Jewish community. The My Voice Project empowers Holocaust survivors and refugees from Nazi persecution who settled in the UK to share their entire life stories including experiences before, during and after the war years. This project involves a bespoke methodological approach, producing books that preserve their unique voices. The My Voice Project ensures firsthand accounts are remembered and valued for future generations, highlighting the critical role of individual perspectives in ensuring a deeper historical understanding.
Gisela Feldman was born in Berlin in 1923. Gisela recounts the Nazi rise to power and witnessing a terrifying night when her father was taken away by the Nazis. After Kristallnacht, Gisela's mother knew they had to leave Germany. She managed to arrange visas for Cuba and passage there on the liner, the SS St Louis for herself and her two daughters. However, Cuba, the USA and Canada all refused entry to the ship, and they were eventually given permission to come to England via Antwerp.
After working as an au pair and a machinist in London, Gisela went on to have a long career as a teacher. She married Oscar and they had three children. She moved to Manchester in 1995 to be near her son and grandchildren.
Gisela's book is part of the My Voice book collection.
About the author
The Fed is Manchester's leading social care charity serving the Jewish community. In June of 2021, The Fed were awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for the My Voice Project, the highest possible accolade for a voluntary sector group.
