Testimony of Chaja (Oszlak) Sztajnhart, born in Warsaw, 1921, regarding her experiences in Poland and Uzbekistan

Testimony of Chaja (Oszlak) Sztajnhart, born in Warsaw, 1921, regarding her experiences in Poland and Uzbekistan Her family; her father is a member of the Bund choir; activty in Freiheit (Dror) movement; summer vacation in a village and training near Lodz; influence of youth counselor Motke Tennenbaum. Receiving aliya permit as a prize for her activities, September 1939, but unable to use it due to outbreak of the war; joining a group of pioneers who organized an escape to Malkinia and then to Vilna; wanderings throughout Russia and settling in Urgench; living among Uzbeks and their relationship; arthritis and treatment; help from a female Jewish refugee who joined them; weaving cotton and woolen threads. Receiving permission to return to Poland and move to Orekhov; establishment of a kibbutz initiated by Stefan Graiek and her work there; move to DP camp in Reichenbach; her daughter's birth; preparations for aliya; illegally crossing borders on foot via rivers and the Alps; aliya on the "Providence" ship via Egypt to Kibbutz Glil Yam, 1947; her attitude to Germany.