At the Oral History Project, each interview is important to us and we want you to understand the care and consideration with which we approach our work.  We recognize that the interview process can be emotionally difficult for the interviewee, but it ultimately provides glimpses into the experiences of the Holocaust that cannot be obtained from documents or written records.  It is our deliberateness of purpose and the use of technology that turns oral tradition into historical record.  

We recognize the privileged position of entering the private world of someone’s personal history and emotions. We are aware of the limitations of communicating about the Holocaust, realizing that no taped interview, no matter how long, can record all of what an individual might want to express.  We make every effort to make the process as comfortable as possible in order to give voice to every experience.  Our interviewees consistently report that they are very glad to have been interviewed and that they found the experience to be very meaningful.

The interview can take place in your home or at other designated places around the Bay Area.  We videotape the session, with the camera mounted on a stationary tripod. Two interviewers ask questions, one of whom is also operating the camera and sound equipment.  During the interview, we guide you in recounting your life experiences by asking questions and reviewing your life in chronological order.  Of course, you are welcome to add anecdotes at any time and you are the one to set the pace of the interview.

Our interviewers are thoroughly trained and we allow a four-hour block of time (with breaks, of course) for a standard interview.   The interview may take less time but we want to be sure that sufficient time is available. You will be asked to sign a consent form to allow the taped interview to be used for research and education.  We also ask you to fill out a form with some simple family history.

We ask that you bring with you any photographs and/or documents you might have from Europe (we understand that you may not have any).  We also ask that you bring a picture of your present family.  At the end of the interview the interviewers will include these photos which provide an additional dimension to your recorded history.

People often say to us that they do not consider their life stories to be unique or important. We believe that each personal testimony will be a legacy to be appreciated and learned from.  We are convinced that there are still hundreds of untold stories from our community elders that can and will instruct the next generation. We want to capture the experience of every witness to the Holocaust -- all those who were directly impacted by the Nazi regime.

If you know someone, encourage them to talk to us about the possibility of doing an interview.  Let’s start the conversation.

Please contact us by telephone at 650-570-6382 or by email at ohp@hcnc.org to talk further about an interview.