Local Holocaust Educator Claudia Lewenstein Shares Parents' Survival Story with South Seneca Eighth Graders

The South Seneca Central School District's eighth-grade class partners with the Ithaca Area United Jewish Community (IAUJC) each year for a Holocaust Education day. This year, Claudia Lewenstein, an IAUJC member and community educator, visited the school on April 16. Claudia, whose parents survived the Holocaust, was invited by social studies teacher David Zeitz to supplement his Holocaust education unit. Claudia's parents escaped from Germany and Austria, respectively, and both experienced severe abuses during Kristallnacht.

During her presentation, Claudia focused on her mother's experiences. She highlighted the importance of hope, determination, and courage in times of terror, empathy's role in combating hate, and the need to stand against injustice. Claudia has spoken at several local schools, sharing her family's experiences to make the Holocaust more relatable to students.

Claudia aims to make the Holocaust more accessible to students through her family's story. She believes her talk and her mother's video interview can help students understand the enormity of the Holocaust. Claudia appreciates the empathy and compassion students show when learning about others' suffering.

She also stressed the importance of understanding history and the impact of individual actions in reducing persecution and suffering. She urged students to stand against bullying, a form of social persecution they may encounter. Claudia noted that many Holocaust survivors' stories involve acts of kindness that saved lives or protected Jews from harm.

Claudia expressed concern about the increasing risk of Holocaust denial, especially as direct witnesses to the Holocaust decrease. She noted the internet's role in spreading misinformation and hate speech, and feels a responsibility to testify to the Holocaust's truth.

This article has been enhanced with AI assistance. Agree to access AI-generated content by clicking here, or opt for content with less AI influence here.