For years, Holocaust survivor Mendel Rosenberg couldn’t talk about what happened to him—the horrors of Dachau, the deaths of his father and brother. He had nightmares about Germans chasing and shooting him. But because he envisions a better world for our children, he now shares his story with students visiting the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. “While we are here, we need to make sure as many people as possible hear about the Holocaust,” he says. “We need to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.
Teacher Nikki Poslosky says Mendel inspires her students to learn and act against intolerance and injustice. “Being able to hear the truth from the mouth of a survivor forces students to see the reality and humanity that they may have missed or ignored in books and movies,” she says. “The docents, speakers, staff and volunteers at the museum cause students to think, question, challenge and change.”
Eighth grader Leah Dolgin says, “It’s really inspirational to know that you can live through something like (the Holocaust) and still do great things.” Her classmate Jayme Bertish agrees. “I’m grateful to Mendel for sharing his story. It makes me thankful for what I have, and makes me think about judging people and avoiding stereotypes.”
Jewish Federation of St. Louis supports the museum’s efforts to educate, inspire, and combat discrimination and anti-Semitism. It’s just one way Federation keeps our world safe and informed.