In March 1944, the Jews were forced to leave their homes and move to the Ghetto.  In July 1944, she was transferred to Auschwitz.  She passed Dr. Mengele’s “selection” along with her sister, and was sent to the side of life.

For one and a half months, she stayed in Auschwitz 1 under conditions of hunger, suffocation and filth.  After undergoing an additional “selection”, she was sent to Bergen-Belsen for forced labor.

On April 15, 1945, Bergen-Belsen was liberated.  Irena immigrated to Israel on an immigrant ship in 1946.  She has two children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  Her daughter, Hana Zussman accompanies her on this journey.