Dr. Judita Hruza was a mother, wife, sister, grandmother, cousin, and friend; she was also a Holocaust survivor. For Judita, surviving the Holocaust came with a responsibility to speak for those who did not survive.

As Judita used to say, World War II reached her family in March 1944, when German troops occupied Hungary; she was 19-years old. In the months following the occupation Judita was forced on death marches to two concentration camps before she was liberated by U.S. troops in May 1945. When she returned home to Budapest she learned that her entire family had been murdered, save her brother.

After the war, Judita re-built her life. She went to school, became a physician, married the love of her life, had two children and six grandchildren, and immigrated to the United States. Judita also made it her life’s mission to tell her Holocaust story. She spoke at middle schools, high schools, universities, community centers, churches, and temples; and she published her story in books, anthologies, and newspapers.

Judita passed away in October 2013. We – Judita’s family – created this website to catalog Judita’s experience, continue her legacy, and celebrate her life. We hope that this site helps you to learn, explore, and understand the Holocaust through Judita’s eyes.

Please remember and share Judita’s story.

‐ Judita’s family