#OurHolocaustStory: "I am Annicka" Holocaust survivor Dr. Arye Ephrath was born on Apr 1942 in the city of Bardejov. In Aug 1944, the Germans invaded Slovakia and began rounding up Jews. #DontBeABystander: Thankfully, Ján Mierni, a shepherd, and his wife Irena risked their lives and agreed to take in Arye and his brother, Tzvi. However, to avoid suspicion, Jan required the boys to dress as girls. Arye compiled and was allowed to help out on the farm. Tzvi did not and was restricted to the house.