Why I Will Continue Sharing My Holocaust Story

According to Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, the world was initially perfect and complete. But then it shattered, scattering its fragments into disarray. This narrative suggests that our task today is to repair the world, to bring it back to its original wholeness. This concept is known as “Tikkun Olam” in Jewish tradition.

Tikkun Olam can be interpreted as performing acts of chesed, meaning kindness, or engaging in social justice initiatives. Essentially, it’s about making the world a better place by addressing its shortcomings in any way we can.

Sharing my story of surviving the Holocaust doesn’t alter the past or fix the world, but I believe it might contribute to a better future. By sharing my personal experience, I can offer a firsthand perspective on history, going beyond what’s written in books. Additionally, my story can serve as an example for others who might also wish to share their experiences of suffering, promoting healing and preventing similar suffering in the future.

As a child in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, I had little understanding of my circumstances. I simply focused on surviving. Everything was utterly confusing. I didn’t grasp the meaning of being Jewish or the Nazis’ intense hatred towards us. I was too young to comprehend.

Today, I have a much deeper understanding of my Jewish heritage, appreciating the wisdom, teachings, writings, and history that shaped who we are. I believe this is a natural part of aging— at least for me. You begin to recognize and value the elements that made you who you are.

However, given the antisemitism I witness today and the Holocaust denial I’ve encountered on social media, it’s clear that we need to strive for a better future. When I speak, I feel a responsibility to be accurate and thorough. I’m not only sharing my story and that of my family, but also, in a sense, representing the 6 million Jews and millions of others who cannot speak for themselves. I recall Gideon Hausner’s words at Eichmann’s trial: “I will be their spokesman.”

Those who share their stories of pain and suffering are courageous. Those who feel unable to share their stories should also be respected, as everyone is different. I didn’t share my story for decades, so I understand. The truth is that we, Holocaust survivors, the last generation old enough to remember what happened, are reaching the end of our lives. This is a natural progression. But I hope it prompts people to consider how our memories can be preserved and used to educate future generations.

The approach to Holocaust survivors and Holocaust education has evolved over time—from eyewitnesses who witnessed the events firsthand to memorials and museums, and now, Holocaust education taking various forms on social media. The methods of teaching history are constantly evolving.

It’s important to remember that the establishment of museums and Holocaust memorial centers didn’t immediately follow the war’s conclusion. No, it took a decade or two for society to begin confronting this horrific past or even discuss it, as grappling with such horrors is incredibly difficult. Only in recent decades have many nations begun to examine their past, reflect upon it, and present it in new ways.

I recently learned that a significant number of young people in America and Europe were unable to name a single concentration camp. This is deeply unsettling, of course. However, I also discovered that the same holds true for many other historical events. For instance, many young people lack basic knowledge about the U.S. Civil War and slavery in America. We must seriously address this issue, as the consequences will impact us all. In some ways, we are already experiencing the repercussions of this historical amnesia.

The reality is that it’s not just the Holocaust, but countless other atrocities, hatreds, and injustices that require remembrance and better methods of teaching. We can either lament the lack of knowledge among young people, or we can commit to improving our teaching methods. I choose to be determined. I have a deep affection for young people and believe in them and in the future. It’s the older generation that needs to do better.

Sharing my story isn’t easy, but it also has positive effects on me. It empowers me because our humanity, as Jews and countless others, was stolen from us, and we were powerless to do anything about it. While there were instances of resistance and rebellion, they weren’t enough. We were powerless. So, in a sense, I feel as though I’m restoring our humanity by sharing our stories.

Telling my story also strengthens and improves me as a person because it allows me to confront my past, process the pain, and transform it into something beneficial for people today. My story provides insights into history, and I hope it can also teach people something about themselves.

When my daughter Hadasa was studying architecture, she created beautiful hanging mobiles, some of which I still possess. Each one is delicate and perfectly balanced. One day, a strong wind blew one of her mobiles down. I was deeply saddened, as I cherished it. Carefully, I gathered the pieces and brought them to Hadasa, hoping she could fix it.

A few months later, she returned the mobile to me, fully repaired. It was perfectly balanced, elegant, and harmonious, with every beautiful piece intact, even though I could still see a chip or two.

I share this not only because I love my daughter and her creations, but also because it illustrates that broken things can be repaired. We are all survivors in one way or another. We all experience heartache, illness, and the loss of loved ones. We all go through bad days, uncertain times, and upheaval in our lives. Some of us have even endured terrible physical and emotional violence and abuse.

It takes a great deal of time, courage, and support to mend the pieces of our hearts, souls, and bodies. There might be a chip or two, scars that remind us of pain and change, but that only makes us more of who we are— complex, beautiful, flawed human beings.

Excerpted from by Gidon Lev with Julie Gray. Copyright © 2024 by Gidon Lev with Julie Gray. Reprinted with permission of Hachette Go, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. All rights reserved.