University of South Carolina Libraries
This Week in USC History April 25, 1990 — Blues musican Taj Mahal performed at the Koger Center on his American Tour. Page 7 by Amanda Silva The Gamecock His story began on March 19, 1944, the day the Germans moved in, beginning the German occupation of Hungary. Regulations were increasingly pushed on Jews like himself, beginning with curfews, seizure of property and the mandatory wearing of the yellow star. It wasn’t long before he and his family were forced out of their home in the middle of the night and locked with other Jews in a synagogue guarded by armed Nazis. The synagogue had no indoor toilet. Because the Jews weren’t allowed to go outside, they were forced to defecate in their synagogue. “You’re talking about the desecration of God’s house,” said Tom Grossman, a 70-year-old Hungarian who shared his story Tuesday at Gambrell Hall. Grossman spoke widi such emotion, it sounded as if it were only yesterday the Nazis knocked on his door and his nightmare began. The event, part of the bicentennial celebration, was held to discuss die Holocaust and illustrate, with the help of a panel of USC professors, the jiower of memory. Grossman has lived in South Carolina since 1968 and now educates people about die terrors of die Holocaust. The SS guards said, ‘those are 12 dogs, 12 Jew dogs who were executed because they tried to escape — keep that in mind.’ ” Tom Grossman Holocaust Survivor Grossman spent time in various concentration camps, a period interrupted only by death marches lead by the Nazis. “The intent was for us to die,” Grossman said. After being held in Auschwitz and separated from his family, Grossman was sent on another march during which men who fell from exhaustion were executed with a gunshot wound to the head. The march led to another camp, an extermination camp. As they marched to it, the men saw 12 Jews hanging from the gallows. The SS guards said, “those are 12 dogs, 12 Jew dogs who were executed because they tried to escape — keep that in mind.” “These people weren’t human, they were inhuman, sadist bastards.” Despite his angry words, Grossman stopped his story to emphasize that he wasn’t attacking the German people, not then and not today. “I am pot directing my remarks qgainst the German people. By and l;irce, I am not faulting the German nation, although they could have done something. But then again, they, too, lived under such fear.” Grossman said that in his visits to Germany today, he detects a sense of guilt among younger generations. “They really don’t need to feel like that. They should be aware, but they should not carry guilt,” Grossman said. When he worked in the kitchen of the extermination camp, he picked up a piece of bread that had fallen off a bread truck. Thinking he had stolen it, the Nazi guards sentenced him to death. ‘“What made people be like this?’ you wonder,” Grossman said. He recalls a noose being slipped around his neck. The next thing he remembered was waking up on a train. The International Red Cross had witnessed his near-execution and ordered it to stop. Grossman was then lashed 50 times and sent to another camp. At what would be his final camp, Grossman slipped into unconsciousness Memory seepages Michael Ronquillo/The Gamecock Tom Grossman, far right, survived several terms of imprisonment at concentration camps during the Holocaust. Grossman, 70, spoke to USC about his experience as part of the bicentennial celebration. What’s Happening Wednesday, April 25 Live Music Decision’s, Muddy Quarters Delaney’s, Joal Rush Dianne’s on Devine, Ross Holmes Elbow Room, Thomas Reed Band Flip Side/Knock Knock Club 11 ft. 7 « Mac’s on Main, Mac’s Jazz Showcase Roche Brother’s, Open mic w/Chris Richards Uncle Doctor’s, Immolation, Goatwhore Wings & Ale, Tokyo Joe Performing Arts Longstreet Theatre. The Darker Face of the Earth Trustus Theatre, Side Man Karaoke ley’s, Karaoke Ladybug City, Afro-oke w/Doc & Lady Tee Legend’s, Karaoke with Ken Martin McCary’s, Karaoke Opening Break, Heartline Karaoke Rooster’s Den, Karaoke w/Tootie Rock, Vickie & Johnny’s Karaoke Contest Sandra’s, Rick and Tina’s Karaoke Dance and DJs Art Bar, NUVIBE Crocodile Rocks, Ladies Night Eddy Ho’s, Pool Tournament Merlin’s, DJ Cotton and Talent Contest Rafter’s, Temptation Island College Night Roadrunners, Ladies Night, Free Pool Tavern on Greene, Listening Party . PRESENTS A SPECIALADVANCESCREENINGi Pick Up FREE Passes Checkout Russell House Info Center Thursday, April 26th C,NEMAX com O „8U°° M-ru for a chance to win a Presentedby Russell House Theater portable DVD player Carolina Productions or other great prizes! HOGAtl _ ^ Summer Housing Sign-up Information... • Applications for May/Summer Housing are available from the Main Housing Office and all Area Offices. • Just fill out the application, keep the yellow copy and return the white copy to the Main Housing Office, 1215 Blossom Street • There is no set deadline, but assignments will be made on a first come, first serve basis. • Assignments will be posted on the web (not mailed) one week before the halls open for each session. • No advance room fee is required. Housing fees will be added to your academic bills and are due the day before classes start. What's it going to cost? May Housing Towers Only Double - Moore $179 Private - Laborde $251 Summer I Housing Double - Moore $314 Private - Laborde $439 Apartment - South Quard $609 Keep Life Simple - Live on Campus Summer II Housing Double - Moore $296 Private - Laborde $414 Apartment - South Quad $575 University Housing Communities Designed for Living