As we approach the 77th commemoration of Kristallnacht (defined below) on November 10th, I would like to share a post that I wrote two years ago about a meaningful experience that I had for the 75th commemoration of that fateful day.
Unfortunately, since my post, Rabbi Hilsenrath, z"l , passed away. May his memory be a blessing to his family and to all of us whose lives he deeply touched and influenced.
Unfortunately, since my post, Rabbi Hilsenrath, z"l , passed away. May his memory be a blessing to his family and to all of us whose lives he deeply touched and influenced.
Education at Its Best
I recently attended a Kristallnacht 75th commemoration program at Teaneck Public High School, in New Jersey. Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass”, was an attack against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria on November 9-10, 1938. The name Kristallnacht comes from the shards of broken glass that littered the streets after the windows of Jewish-owned stores, buildings, and synagogues were broken.
The program’s guest speaker was Mrs. Devorah Hilsenrath, the mother of my dear friend Rochelle Goldschmiedt. Mrs. Hilsenrath was in Auschwitz Concentration Camp for a year, 1944-45. She was 12.
Mrs. Devorah Hilsenrath, age 12 in Hungary
Rochelle’s father, Rabbi Yaakov Hilsenrath, z"l, was six years old during Kristallnacht and before his wife shared her story, he eloquently described his memories of Kristallnacht.
Rochelle (Hilsenrath) Goldschmiedt and her parents, Rabbi and Mrs. Hilsenrath
This program was under the direction of Mrs. Goldie Minkowitz, the Director of the Holocaust Center at the school. The fact that this public school has a Holocaust Center is truly remarkable, especially since its school body is not Jewish. Mrs. Minkowitz first gave the students an overview of Kristallnacht and then she introduced Rochelle who in turn introduced her parents.
After her father spoke, Rochelle set the stage for what her mother was going to share. Rochelle made it very relevant to the students. She said, “Imagine that, just like you were instructed this morning, you were told to come to this room. But before you are allowed to enter, your phones are taken away. You won’t be allowed to call or text anyone. You cannot check Facebook. You are not told why you are here. You are not given any food or water. You are to stay here, with everyone else, for an entire day. You don’t know where your family is. You have no answers. That is my mother’s story.”
Mrs. Hilsenrath, in her soft spoken and gentle manner, shared her horrific and painful story. As an audience participant who sat in the back row, I had the privilege of watching the students’ reactions. The thing that stood out for me was how a few of the boys, during Mrs. Hilsenrath’s talk, began to remove their hoodies. Talk about cultural respect and shift!
Below are the 11 questions that the high schoolers asked Mrs. Hilsenrath after she finished her story. I feel these questions capture the essence of the program and represent education at its best. The adolescents’ questions show how they were processing and trying to make sense of the difficult story they heard. The way they formulated their questions, in my opinion, serves as a poignant framework for what the program was meant to be, and what education is all about.
The students’ questions followed by Mrs. Hilsenrath’s answers:
Q : How many days did you have to go without water?
A: On the cattle car, 4 days.
Q: Did you have to clean your bunker before you had to leave when you were moved to the work camp?
A: There wasn’t much to clean, the bunker was very small. And we had to leave in a hurry. They ordered “Macht shnell!” Hurry up!!
Q: Do you know the name of the work camp you were in?
A: Leipzig.
Q: Where were you marching to when you went on the death march?
A: We didn’t know, we just followed the Nazis. It was called the death march because so many people died on the way.
Q: Did you ever see Hitler?
A: No, but his pictures were all over.
Q: Why do people blame Germany when it was the Nazis?
A: I hate to say it, but the German people cooperated. There were some who helped, but unfortunately they were the exception.
Q: When did you understand what the crematorium was?
A: When I was back in my home country of Hungary, after my release. I had no idea when I was in Auschwitz that the heavy smoke was from human bodies, from the bodies of women, men and children.
Q: How long was the time span from when you were taken from your home until you returned?
A: A little over a year.
Q: How do you feel now that you survived and are a source of inspiration for your children?
A: I am grateful to G-d! My children are inspirational for me.
Q: What was life like after?
A: I searched for my parents. I lived with my aunt and uncle and I cried for three years.
Q: (Through tears a young man asked the final question.) Since you were witness to this atrocity, is it possible for you to prayer for the people suffering in Syria?
A: I don’t like to see suffering anywhere. I pray to the Almighty that there should be peace throughout the entire world.
Mrs. Hilsenrath showing her number tattoo
Mrs. Hilsenrath answering questions
When her mother was finished with her story, Rochelle who is a personal trainer, spoke about how she gains strength from her mother’s story, so much so that she chose to compete in a triathlon and temporarily tattoo her mother’s number on her arm. She said during the triathlon when she needed strength she would look at her arm and that helped her go on and make it to the finish line.
These living history lessons offer tales of strength, courage, and human survival and resilience, all very powerful life lessons encapsulated in one program.
Education at its best!
Vincent McHale, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction; Barbara Pinsak, Superintendent; Rochelle Goldschmiedt and her parents Rabbi and Mrs. Hilsenrath; Pearl Marcovitz, Holocaust Center Volunteer; Dr. King, Supervisor of PK-12 Social Studies and Business and Practical Arts; Goldie Minkowitz, Director of Holocaust Center
Photos courtesy of Goldie Minkowitz
