MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman is a TikTok star at age 85, thanks to her 17-year-old grandson.
In the family living room in Morristown, New Jersey, he records short videos of his grandmother reminiscing about life in 1944 and 1945 when she was a 6-year-old child at the Auschwitz death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. She also discusses her experiences before and after the camp.
They say videos on her account have garnered 75 million views since the duo started posting in September 2021.
Ted Shaffrey
Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, 85, prepares to record a TikTok video with her grandson, 17-year-old Aron Goodman, in Morristown, New Jersey, on Monday, March 13, 2023. Goodman records TikTok videos of his grandmother describing her experiences as a six-year-old at Auschwitz concentration camp that have millions of views on the social media platform. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
“It really snowballed,” said Friedman. “And then we realized it was a fabulous medium for the Holocaust, for young people who don’t want to read the books, who don’t like the classes in school, who don’t like the way the teachers teach or whatever, who are bored with it, or some who never heard of it. Here they are, listening.”
Her grandson, Aron Goodman, said their most-viewed videos are “ones that show her number” — the identification tattooed on prisoners’ arms at Auschwitz.
“People around the world can’t really get the chance to see a survivor, to see the history on their arm,” Goodman said. “So social media and TikTok is the way we kind of impart our message and show the evidence of the Holocaust that people unrightfully deny.”
Commenters on the videos thank Friedman for posting her memories, with many remarking they had not learned much — or anything — about the Holocaust in school.
Ted Shaffrey
In Morristown, New Jersey, on Monday, March 13, 2023, Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, 85, holds a photo of her and her mother, Reizel Grossman, whom she credits with teaching her how to survive Auschwitz concentration camp. To combat anti-semitism, Friedman's high-school-age grandson records TikTok videos of her describing the Holocaust that have millions of views on the social media platform. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Goodman said he makes the videos to counter antisemitic speech online and to educate the TikTok generation about the horrors of the Holocaust.
“We need to focus on the history and warn people where hate can lead if it’s unchecked, if no one does anything about it,” the high schooler said.
Another TikTok features black-and-white footage of Friedman with other Jewish children in early 1945, as she pushes up her sleeve to show the tattooed number on her arm. The film was shot by the Soviet military a week after they liberated the camp.
When Friedman looks at the film, she remembers her mother, out of frame but nearby, who taught her how to survive in the camp by not making eye contact with the guards and hiding amid dead bodies. Her mother fell into despair after the war and died in her mid-40s.
Ted Shaffrey
Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, 85, prepares to record a TikTok video with her grandson, 17-year-old Aron Goodman, in Morristown, New Jersey, on Monday, March 13, 2023. Goodman records TikTok videos of his grandmother describing her experiences as a six-year-old at Auschwitz concentration camp that have millions of views on the social media platform. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Friedman said people often ask how she could ever trust or love people after what she witnessed. Friedman said she saw many other Holocaust survivors who lost their families in the camps go on to remarry and have more children, which they called “replacement children” in those days.
“Life is resilient, and you can live again,” said Friedman, who works as a therapist and social worker and wrote a book about her experiences called “The Daughter of Auschwitz.” “This is what I’d like to let people know. It’s the hope that humanity can rebuild itself.”
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo Parisians march through the Arc de Triomphe jubilantly waving flags of the Allied Nations as they celebrate the end of World War II in Europe. Nazi commanders signed their surrender to Allied forces in a French schoolhouse 75 years ago this week, ending World War II in Europe and the Holocaust. (AP Photo, File)
AP
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo Parisians march through the Arc de Triomphe jubilantly waving flags of the Allied Nations as they celebrate the end of World War II in Europe. Nazi commanders signed their surrender to Allied forces in a French schoolhouse 75 years ago this week, ending World War II in Europe and the Holocaust. (AP Photo, File)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill, center, joins the royal family, from left, Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, England, on VE Day. Nazi commanders signed their surrender to Allied forces in a French schoolhouse 75 years ago this week, ending World War II in Europe and the Holocaust. Unlike the mass street celebrations that greeted this momentous news in 1945, surviving veterans are marking V-E Day this year in virus confinement, sharing memories with loved ones, instead of in the company of comrades on public parade. (AP Photo, File)
AP
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill, center, joins the royal family, from left, Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, England, on VE Day. Nazi commanders signed their surrender to Allied forces in a French schoolhouse 75 years ago this week, ending World War II in Europe and the Holocaust. Unlike the mass street celebrations that greeted this momentous news in 1945, surviving veterans are marking V-E Day this year in virus confinement, sharing memories with loved ones, instead of in the company of comrades on public parade. (AP Photo, File)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
Leslie Priest
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo a vast crowd assembles in front of Buckingham Palace, London to cheer Britain's Royal family as they come out on the balcony, centre, minutes after the official announcement of Germany's unconditional surrender in World War II. They are from left: Princess Elizabeth; Queen Elizabeth; King George VI; and Princess Margaret. Nazi commanders signed their surrender to Allied forces in a French schoolhouse 75 years ago this week, ending World War II in Europe and the Holocaust. Unlike the mass street celebrations that greeted this momentous news in 1945, surviving veterans are marking V-E Day this year in virus confinement, sharing memories with loved ones, instead of in the company of comrades on public parade. (AP Photo/Leslie Priest, File)
Leslie Priest
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo a vast crowd assembles in front of Buckingham Palace, London to cheer Britain's Royal family as they come out on the balcony, centre, minutes after the official announcement of Germany's unconditional surrender in World War II. They are from left: Princess Elizabeth; Queen Elizabeth; King George VI; and Princess Margaret. Nazi commanders signed their surrender to Allied forces in a French schoolhouse 75 years ago this week, ending World War II in Europe and the Holocaust. Unlike the mass street celebrations that greeted this momentous news in 1945, surviving veterans are marking V-E Day this year in virus confinement, sharing memories with loved ones, instead of in the company of comrades on public parade. (AP Photo/Leslie Priest, File)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
STF
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo mounted policemen strive to clear a path for Prime Minister Winston Churchill, center, in his car on its way through a surging crowd of VE Day celebrants in Parliament Square, London after the announcement of Germany's surrender in World War II. (AP Photo, File)
STF
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo mounted policemen strive to clear a path for Prime Minister Winston Churchill, center, in his car on its way through a surging crowd of VE Day celebrants in Parliament Square, London after the announcement of Germany's surrender in World War II. (AP Photo, File)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
POOL
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo a crowd gathers to celebrate VE Day in Piccadilly Circus in London, England. (AP Photo, File)
POOL
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo a crowd gathers to celebrate VE Day in Piccadilly Circus in London, England. (AP Photo, File)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
President Truman sits before a microphone, holding his speech, at the White House, Washington, DC, May 8, 1945, after he had finished reading his announcement to the nation that Allied Armies have won unconditional surrender from the German forces on all fronts. (AP Photo/stf)
AP
President Truman sits before a microphone, holding his speech, at the White House, Washington, DC, May 8, 1945, after he had finished reading his announcement to the nation that Allied Armies have won unconditional surrender from the German forces on all fronts. (AP Photo/stf)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
MATTY ZIMMERMAN
People crowd Times Square at 42nd Street in New York City on May 8, 1945, as the VE Day celebration continues into the night. The dimout and the brownout of the "Great White Way" have been replaced once more by the bright lights of victory. (AP Photo/Matty Zimmerman)
MATTY ZIMMERMAN
People crowd Times Square at 42nd Street in New York City on May 8, 1945, as the VE Day celebration continues into the night. The dimout and the brownout of the "Great White Way" have been replaced once more by the bright lights of victory. (AP Photo/Matty Zimmerman)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
President Harry S. Truman smiles happily as he announces to the press the complete victory of the Allies over Germany, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., May 8, 1945. Seated near the wall behind Truman are, left to right: Elmer Davis, Secretary Henry A. Wallace, Maj. Gen. Philip Fleming, Rep. Joseph Martin, Jr., Gen. George C. Marshall, J. Leonard Reinsch, Col. Harry Vaughan, John Snyder, first lady Bess Truman, Mary Margaret Truman and Secretary of War Henry Stimson. Fred M. Vinson is in the foreground.
AP
President Harry S. Truman smiles happily as he announces to the press the complete victory of the Allies over Germany, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., May 8, 1945. Seated near the wall behind Truman are, left to right: Elmer Davis, Secretary Henry A. Wallace, Maj. Gen. Philip Fleming, Rep. Joseph Martin, Jr., Gen. George C. Marshall, J. Leonard Reinsch, Col. Harry Vaughan, John Snyder, first lady Bess Truman, Mary Margaret Truman and Secretary of War Henry Stimson. Fred M. Vinson is in the foreground.
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
President Harry S. Truman (right center), gestures as he tells newsmen details of surrender of Germany during press conference at the White House in Washington, May 8, 1945 attended by 123 reporters. At top, facing, are (left to right): Gen. G.C. Marshall, Col. Harry Vaughan, J.L. Reinsch, Rep. Joseph Martin, first lady Bess Truman, Rep. John W. McCormack, Mary Margaret Truman, Admiral William D. Leahy, Capt. James K. Vardaman, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, Matthew Connally, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal, Senate President Protem Kenneth McKellar, Edward McKin, Stephen Larly, Jonathan Daniels, Attorney General Francis Biddle and Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. (AP Photo)
AP
President Harry S. Truman (right center), gestures as he tells newsmen details of surrender of Germany during press conference at the White House in Washington, May 8, 1945 attended by 123 reporters. At top, facing, are (left to right): Gen. G.C. Marshall, Col. Harry Vaughan, J.L. Reinsch, Rep. Joseph Martin, first lady Bess Truman, Rep. John W. McCormack, Mary Margaret Truman, Admiral William D. Leahy, Capt. James K. Vardaman, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, Matthew Connally, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal, Senate President Protem Kenneth McKellar, Edward McKin, Stephen Larly, Jonathan Daniels, Attorney General Francis Biddle and Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
STF
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo the 44th Infantry Division, U.S. Seventh Army, parades on VE Day through the town square of Imst, Austria. (AP Photo, File)
STF
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo the 44th Infantry Division, U.S. Seventh Army, parades on VE Day through the town square of Imst, Austria. (AP Photo, File)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
A huge American flag unfurled in New York’s Herald Square on VE Day on May 8, 1945. This 80x160 foot flag was hung from the eighth floor balcony of Macy’s New York department store, covering the façade from 34th and 35th Streets along Broadway. Beneath it were placed a set of British, Chinese, French and Russian flags, held by two giant mailer fists. (AP Photo)
AP
A huge American flag unfurled in New York’s Herald Square on VE Day on May 8, 1945. This 80x160 foot flag was hung from the eighth floor balcony of Macy’s New York department store, covering the façade from 34th and 35th Streets along Broadway. Beneath it were placed a set of British, Chinese, French and Russian flags, held by two giant mailer fists. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Enthusiastic Danish crowds greeted the British column on its arrival in Copenhagen, May 8, 1945. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Enthusiastic Danish crowds greeted the British column on its arrival in Copenhagen, May 8, 1945. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
People crowd into the street outside the U.S. and British Embassies, Lisbon, Portugal, on VE Day, May 8, 1945. Jubilant crowds celebrated for two days and nights. (AP Photo)
AP
People crowd into the street outside the U.S. and British Embassies, Lisbon, Portugal, on VE Day, May 8, 1945. Jubilant crowds celebrated for two days and nights. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
The floodlit Mansion House, in London, on May 8, 1945, during the VE Day celebrations. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
Tom Fitzsimmons
The torch of the Statue of Liberty blazes in the night as the lights are turned on once again at the island in New York Harbor, May 8, 1945, V-E Day, on which the official announcement of the unconditional surrender of Germany was proclaimed. Two service men stand guard at the base of the statue. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons)
Tom Fitzsimmons
The torch of the Statue of Liberty blazes in the night as the lights are turned on once again at the island in New York Harbor, May 8, 1945, V-E Day, on which the official announcement of the unconditional surrender of Germany was proclaimed. Two service men stand guard at the base of the statue. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
Members of the executive committee of the United Nations conference met on May 8, 1945 in an upstairs room of the Opera House in San Francisco to consider conference procedure. Left to right, at table: Eelco Van Kleffens, Netherlands; Mostafa Adl, Iran; Jan Masaryk, Czechoslovakia; W.L. Mackenzie King, Herbert Evatt, Australia; Sir Alexander Cadogan, United Kingdom; V.K. Wellington Koo, China; Edward R. Stettinius, Jr. U.S.; Alger Hiss, Secretary General of Conference; V.M. Molotov, Russia; Georges Bidault, France; Ezequiel Padilla, Mexico; Ivan Subasic, Yugoslavia. Representation Brazil and Chile not present for picture but formally sit between Molotov and Bidault. (AP Photo)
AP
Members of the executive committee of the United Nations conference met on May 8, 1945 in an upstairs room of the Opera House in San Francisco to consider conference procedure. Left to right, at table: Eelco Van Kleffens, Netherlands; Mostafa Adl, Iran; Jan Masaryk, Czechoslovakia; W.L. Mackenzie King, Herbert Evatt, Australia; Sir Alexander Cadogan, United Kingdom; V.K. Wellington Koo, China; Edward R. Stettinius, Jr. U.S.; Alger Hiss, Secretary General of Conference; V.M. Molotov, Russia; Georges Bidault, France; Ezequiel Padilla, Mexico; Ivan Subasic, Yugoslavia. Representation Brazil and Chile not present for picture but formally sit between Molotov and Bidault. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Britain's King George VI talks with Prime Minister Winston Churchill and members of the cabinet and chiefs of staff in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, in London on May 8, 1945, during VE Day celebrations. in the foreground are, Sir Archibald Sinclair, Lord Woolton, Winston Churchill, King George VI, Herbret Morrison, Ernest Bevin, Sir John Anderson. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Britain's King George VI talks with Prime Minister Winston Churchill and members of the cabinet and chiefs of staff in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, in London on May 8, 1945, during VE Day celebrations. in the foreground are, Sir Archibald Sinclair, Lord Woolton, Winston Churchill, King George VI, Herbret Morrison, Ernest Bevin, Sir John Anderson. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
With the final capitulation of the German armed forces Denmark once again celebrates her freedom. Riding in horse-drawn vehicles on bicycles and on foot the Nazi overlord filed out of Copenhagen to surrender to the nearest British forces. Germans crowd onto a miniature tank carrying a trailer on their way to surrender to British troops, May 8, 1945. (AP Photo)
AP
With the final capitulation of the German armed forces Denmark once again celebrates her freedom. Riding in horse-drawn vehicles on bicycles and on foot the Nazi overlord filed out of Copenhagen to surrender to the nearest British forces. Germans crowd onto a miniature tank carrying a trailer on their way to surrender to British troops, May 8, 1945. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
A section of the huge crowd gathered in Parliament Square, London on May 8, 1945, as they listened to the premier’s broadcast officially announcing Germany’s unconditional surrender. (AP Photo)
AP
A section of the huge crowd gathered in Parliament Square, London on May 8, 1945, as they listened to the premier’s broadcast officially announcing Germany’s unconditional surrender. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
Paper showers from buildings on either side of Boston’s Newspaper Row on May 8, 1945, after official announcement of victory in Europe. All traffic was halted on Washington Street for several hours. Most stores declared a holiday. (AP Photo)
AP
Paper showers from buildings on either side of Boston’s Newspaper Row on May 8, 1945, after official announcement of victory in Europe. All traffic was halted on Washington Street for several hours. Most stores declared a holiday. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
The general surrender signed at Reims, France, on May 7 was ratified at Berlin on May 8, 1945. Keitel, Friedeburg, and Stumpf signed for the German High Command and Air Chief Marshal Tedder signed for the AEF and Marshal Zhukov for the Soviet High Command shown June 1, 1945. This is a photograph of one of a dozen German surrender documents that will be placed on exhibition at the National Archives, Washington, D.C., on June 6 and will remain on view until the first of September, Dr. Solon J. Buck, the Archivist of the United States, has announced. (AP Photo)
AP
The general surrender signed at Reims, France, on May 7 was ratified at Berlin on May 8, 1945. Keitel, Friedeburg, and Stumpf signed for the German High Command and Air Chief Marshal Tedder signed for the AEF and Marshal Zhukov for the Soviet High Command shown June 1, 1945. This is a photograph of one of a dozen German surrender documents that will be placed on exhibition at the National Archives, Washington, D.C., on June 6 and will remain on view until the first of September, Dr. Solon J. Buck, the Archivist of the United States, has announced. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
The general surrender signed at Reims, France, on May 7 was ratified at Berlin on May 8, 1945. Keitel, Friedeburg, and Stumpf signed for the German High Command and Air Chief Marshal Tedder signed for the AEF and Marshal Zhukov for the Soviet High Command shown June 1, 1945. This is a photograph of one of a dozen German surrender documents that will be placed on exhibition at the National Archives, Washington, D.C., on June 6 and will remain on view until the first of September, Dr. Solon J. Buck, the Archivist of the United States, has announced. (AP Photo)
AP
The general surrender signed at Reims, France, on May 7 was ratified at Berlin on May 8, 1945. Keitel, Friedeburg, and Stumpf signed for the German High Command and Air Chief Marshal Tedder signed for the AEF and Marshal Zhukov for the Soviet High Command shown June 1, 1945. This is a photograph of one of a dozen German surrender documents that will be placed on exhibition at the National Archives, Washington, D.C., on June 6 and will remain on view until the first of September, Dr. Solon J. Buck, the Archivist of the United States, has announced. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
AP
Service men and civilians crowd about a brewery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 8, 1945, which was looted during V-E Day violence. (AP Photo)
AP
Service men and civilians crowd about a brewery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 8, 1945, which was looted during V-E Day violence. (AP Photo)
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Judah Samet, who survived Holocaust and a synagogue massacre, has died
John Rooney
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo Pfc. Clarence K. Ayers of Evansville, Ind., reads the news of VE Day as newly arrived German prisoners stand on a New York City pier. (AP Photo/John Rooney, File)
John Rooney
FILE - In this May 8, 1945 file photo Pfc. Clarence K. Ayers of Evansville, Ind., reads the news of VE Day as newly arrived German prisoners stand on a New York City pier. (AP Photo/John Rooney, File)
