Itzhak Kotkowski

Itzhak Kotkowski was born on December 25, 1921 in Warsaw, Poland. After the Nazi invasion in 1939, Itzhak decided to leave Poland. He was arrested in 1940 by the Communists on suspicion of being an “enemy of the state” and was sent to Bialystok Prison. From there he was sentenced to forced labor in Siberia but in 1941 was given amnesty in exchange for service in the Soviet Army until the end of the war. In 1946, Itzhak was reunited with his sister Anya. In 1948, Itzhak immigrated to Israel, and there he met and married Aviva. In 1957 they moved to Mexico and then to the United States in 1979. They had two sons.

Soviet Re-education Camp

Military Life

Early Life

Reflections

Jewish Community

Antisemitism

Post War

Internment

Nazi Invasion

Escape