David Lenga

Despite antisemitism, he was often called a “God-damn Jew.” On September 1, 1939, German planes attacked Lodz. David's family was resettled to the Strykow Ghetto. In 1942, the Strykow Ghetto was liquidated, and residents moved to the Lodz Ghetto. His mother, Sarah, was sent back, while David and Nathan were selected for “resettlement.”

American jets attacked; guards fled. American soldiers arrived, freeing them. One soldier spoke Yiddish. After the war, David moved to Sweden. He found his father in Poland. Only they survived out of 100 relatives. In 1954, David immigrated to the United States, settling in Pittsburgh and then Los Angeles.