by George J Elbaum
Educators for Change (EFC) is a group of dedicated educators who have committed to taking an active role in Holocaust education in Washington state and inform the educational programs and resources of the Holocaust Center for Humanity. Teachers are selected by the Holocaust Center based on their engagement, qualifications, geographical location, and commitment to Holocaust education. The Holocaust Center strives to provide EFC with deepened knowledge, not only about the Holocaust but other considerations, such as the challenges of teaching its lessons successfully, as well as a community for collaborative purposes. At the same time EFC provides the Center with invaluable feedback and input that helps guide its decisions about its programs and resources. EFC’s total membership is approximately 40 educators, ranging from upper elementary to college educators, of which 20 attended this session.
18 months ago I spoke to the EFC and gave a much-condensed version of a my usual talk about my Holocaust childhood. Starting with my very first talk 13 years ago till now I have given more than 360 talks in public schools, private ones, inner-city schools and even some special schools for at-risk students. Since the EFC’s current membership is mostly as it was 18 months ago, I didn’t want to repeat my previous talk. However, after these 360 talks I’ve received more than 20,000 letters from the students describing their personal reactions to my talk. From these letters I’ve chosen 42 of the most meaningful and heartfelt statements which I had posted to my website and now shared these with my EFC audience. These statements are attached below in “LETTERS FROM STUDENTS”.
Over these 13 years I noticed that the quality of the letters’ content, the sensitivity, originality, thoughtfulness, understanding, was very much dependent on the quality of the class discussion held by the teacher afterwards, showing the students’ personal thoughts & feelings. The letters showed me again & again that education, real education, depends on the quality of the teacher, and thus that the quality of our future citizens and our country depends on today’s teachers. My presentation to EFC was organized by Branda Anderson, Teaching and Learning Specialist at the Holocaust Center for Humanity, and supported by Paul Regelbrugge, the Holocaust Center’s Director of Education
LETTERS FROM STUDENTS
The Holocaust – Fear, Courage, Responsibility
Philosophers disagree about human nature, but I believe that genocide is a part of it. This sounds terrible, but it’s true. If there is one thing to take away from your talk it is the importance of understanding and justice. .
After studying the Holocaust for the past few weeks, most of us couldn’t fully grasp the enormity of the subject. The books and the movies about it seemed like fiction. That is, until we met someone who was there.
When you were talking I felt scared myself.
There is no way to determine whether a person will be a bystander or upstander until they are forced into the situation.
I cannot imagine a stranger risking their life to save me.
I realized throughout your talk that responsibility of passing on the stories sits on the shoulders of my generation.
I have never thought about the Holocaust and honestly I really didn’t care about what had happened… but I decided to listen to your story and I learned a lot. I learned that there isn’t only one type of racism, ”blacks and whites.” I realized how painful it was to be alive during the Holocaust.
Personal Connection
I did not experience what you and your mother did, but I can understand to an extent what it is to be discriminated against simply because of my race.
I hugged you after the speech because you touched me deeply and I was truly moved by you. Like you said, life would be much more peaceful if we all hugged each other.
I would have loved to meet your childhood self!
Your story and your triumph was the only topic of discussion at my family’s dinner table this evening.
I was most affected by your statement that as human beings we need to stand for something, not against something. All too often we think of things that divide us and make us different, not the things that bind us together, and your words encourage us to take positive action.
I had a rocky childhood, and after hearing your story I gained strength and inspiration that will keep me going. Your words won’t be forgotten.
A pain in my chest appears when I think of what you and your mother have been through; the pain brings me to tears..
I really felt as if I was there experiencing it with you. You had a special impact on my life.
Your story will forever resonate with me, an image of hope and inspiration to us all.
Seeing you smile while talking about the simple but impacting moments, such as your being given the sugar cube, I felt like I was given a gift. I thank you for that gift.
I went through that day thinking about the question you asked us: “If you had a chance to help save someone even if might mean death for you, would you?” At first, I said yes, without even worrying about being caught. Then I thought what if they threatened my family? Friends? Then I remembered your host families, and how much they must have sacrificed to keep you with them. I would love to be able to do that and wholeheartedly say yes, but given those circumstances I honestly don’t know what I would do.
Your experience didn’t only shape who you are but hearing it changed me.
Appreciating One’s Family
You have given me more motivation to not lose faith in myself and in my family.
Your story made me realize how lucky I really am. It made me go home and tell my mother that I love her.
My grandfather is also a Holocaust survivor. He now lives in a convalescent home and seldom has any visitors. Hearing your story inspired me to visit him and ask him to tell me his story and how he survived. Maybe I’ll even write it up.
Immediately after your presentation I emailed my mom and dad and told them that I loved them and was thankful to have them in my life.
Valuing What We Have
I’ve gone through a really tough time since my parents’ divorce, but hearing your story made me feel that it wasn’t bad compared to what you endured during the Holocaust. I also appreciate my parents a lot more.
I know how you felt not knowing English when you first came to this country because I didn’t know English either, only Spanish. Sometimes I feel bad denying that I am from Mexico. I have learned from you to be proud of where I come from.
Today I felt that this is not just a story we heard; it’s a big lesson to us. We learned the truth and felt the pain.
I always thought I had a tough life moving from place to place and never really seeing my father, but as I heard your story, it made me realize that I must appreciate what I have.
Your story makes me appreciate and honor life. Thank you so much.
Religion and Faith, Luck and Fate
I enjoyed your answer concerning your faith. It amazed me how you were born a Jew, raised a Catholic, stripped of religion completely, and yet you still have the strength to have faith in something.
I loved your words that “I have no organized religion but I have faith” because I love how faith gives us something to hold onto.
You were saved for a reason. You were chosen so you would grow up to help students like us learn and remember what had happened.
I think that you were meant to be here – it was your fate to survive everything, to live through all the horror of the Holocaust, and to tell us your story
Neither Yesterdays Nor Tomorrows – Living in the Moment
You taught us that the most important thing is what we do in the present, and not to waste time wishing that we could change what we know we can’t. The future will come as long as we focus on the present.
You taught me three very important things today. One, you shouldn’t let others discourage you from your dreams. Two, you’re not going to be able to please everyone. Three, to not dwell on the past and just keep moving forward with your life.
You taught me that people can have a successful, beautiful future even if they had a dark past but can move beyond it. Your story gives me hope.
Inspiration
Hearing your story makes me want to make the world a better place. You have inspired me, and I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity.
You reminded me of my privilege when you said: “In America, if you want something badly enough and are willing to work for it, you can do it.” I want to start better utilizing my opportunities.
I know that I was not the only one walking out of that room that day feeling inspired.
When you were telling us your story I felt like my throat contained my heart and I’m having the same feeling as I’m writing this letter to you now. You also told us things that made us all smile and laugh, and it reminded me that there’s always something to be happy about.
I learned things from you that I hope someday to teach my children, that we should never be just anti-something. To be against something isn’t a belief, but to be for something is a movement and a love.
I admire that you believe anyone who works hard for a dream or goal can make it come true, because I had dreams and goals that other people doubted, yet these happened through hard work.
You showed me that even though you went through such terrible experiences, it is still possible to move on, pursue your dreams and live a very happy and successful life.
