Liberation refers to the moment when the Allied forces (Soviet, American, British, and French) reached the various Nazi camps in Europe and freed the prisoners.
Concentration and death camps in Eastern Europe were liberated first by the advancing Soviet army, such as Auschwitz. Nazi Germany forced the remaining camp inmates on death marches toward territory still held by Germany in the West, until the final defeat of Germany in May of 1945. Concentrations camps such as Dachau and Buchenwald were liberated by the U.S. army, and Bergen Belsen by British forces.
With their liberation, Jewish people no longer feared for their lives. Those who had managed to survive in the camps, in hiding, or with false papers were now free. However, they were often met with hostility upon return to their hometowns. Many ended up leaving the places of their birth and found temporary housing in Displaced Person camps.
After the initial relief and after regaining their health, survivors began to feel the immensity of their losses. With their families and homes gone, life would never be the same again.