Watch the testimony of Mirjam Ferera as she describes the former Jewish community and the Dubrovnik ghetto.
Mirjam Ferera was born on January 16, 1925, in Dubrovnik. She was the youngest of three children, born to Moritz Ferrera and Stella Ferrera, nee Finzi. Mirjam completed her elementary education in Dubrovnik and then enrolled in the Academy of Commerce. However, her high school studies were interrupted during her second year when the Independent State of Croatia was established on April 10, 1941, followed by the enactment of racial laws at the end of the same month.
During World War II, Mirjam, along with her family, was interned by the Italian authorities in the Hotel Wregg, which served as a concentration camp for Jews. However, she was temporarily released for one day when she got married to Borivoj Tošović, who was of Orthodox faith. Mirjam spent the entire war in Dubrovnik, often in hiding with her husband and children. After the war ended, Mirjam worked in the field of culture until her retirement. She served as a theater secretary and was involved in organizing the Dubrovnik Festival. Simultaneously, she actively participated in the Jewish Municipality of Dubrovnik, eventually becoming its president. Following the Homeland War, Mirjam played a prominent role in advocating for the restoration of the damaged synagogue and the return of treasures and artworks that were taken from the synagogue to New York for an exhibition but were not returned.
Mirjam Ferrera passed away in Dubrovnik on October 22, 2011, and was buried in the Jewish cemetery.