A Next Generation's Legacy of the Holocaust

On January 30, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo hosted a two-hour session where three of our authors -Natalie Iglewicz, Ruth Finkel Wade, and Joy Wolfe Ensor - presented their excerpts from our book to illustrate and reflect on three major themes: intergenerational trauma, dehumanization, and post-traumatic growth. The Q&A and discussion that followed was deep and meaningful. Participants spoke of their awareness of the parallels between the history of the Holocaust and present-day events, and many shared their own personal family Holocaust connections  (an uncle who liberated camps; a father who’d immigrated from Germany at a young age; a family who had a rule about not looking at the past). The instructor feedback survey was unanimous in giving the session the highest ratings. Attendees praised “the authenticity and vulnerability demonstrated by the presenters who simultaneously showed strength and courage,” and the session as “very moving, difficult and beautiful.” Most powerful for us was one comment in particular, “We are your witnesses and we will pass your stories along”.  Having our stories live on in those who have listened or read our chapters affirms a major purpose we had in publishing our book.