Portrait of the Month
Elly Berkovitz
This month we’re featuring a portrait of Elly Berkovitz, who was a child when World War II broke out. Elly was 15 when she arrived at Auschwitz in 1944, around the age of many of the students who draw her portrait in Memory Project workshops. She survived, but lost her entire family. She has written and spoken about her experiences; read more about her work here.
This beautiful portrait was drawn by student Clara M. in Omaha, Nebraska. Workshop participants around the world have connected to Elly through reading about her and drawing her portrait:
“I felt such a connection with Elly. Even though my portrait was her as a young girl when I made the art it felt as if she were older and here.”
-Alana D., Brooklyn, New York
“I felt that even though I just learned about Elly, I personally knew her and had a deep connection.”
-Madison M., St. Petersburg, Florida
“I felt as if her story moved my hand. I will remember the way the picture came to life. I will remember this because I felt as if the portrait was telling me how to draw.”
-Elise N., Lantana, Florida
Read Elly’s story below and click here to view past Portrait of the Month selections
About the subject
Elly Berkovitz was born in Simleu Silvaniei, Romania in 1929. When Hungary invaded Romania in 1940, Elly was banned from school. Two years later, Elly's father was sent to a work camp where he was killed. Elly and her mother and brother were sent to Auschwitz in 1944. Her family was killed immediately, and Elly was forced to work in a Volkswagen factory with chemicals that made her sick. She survived, and was liberated by the American army. Honor Elly by viewing more portraits of her.
About the workshop
This portrait was made at St. Wenceslaus School in partnership with IHENE in Omaha, Nebraska.