Holocaust Survivor Visits Freshmen

Sophia Bartolo, Staff Writer

Holocaust survivor Ed Lichtman visited with World History students in the CPAC on March 25 to speak about his experiences during World War II. All freshmen whose teachers gave them permission to leave fourth period attended.

According to the Lamorinda Patch, “Ed L. was born in Dobromil, Poland. He was 5 years old when Nazi Germany invaded Poland in September, 1939. Ed’s parents were able to arrange hiding places with Catholic families in Poland. At the age of six Ed was separated from his parents, assumed a new identity and went into hiding with a stranger.”

“I thought that this [the Holocaust] was the normal thing. If it rains your whole life, you think this is normal,” explained Lichtman.

World History teacher Dianne Bessette arranged the event. “It’s important to listen to eye witnesses of history and a lot of the Holocaust survivors, who in 5 or 10 years, will no longer be with us [sic],” explained Bessette.

“I did a little research online and found the Jewish Family and Children’s Services Organization in San Francisco. They have a speakers bureau that organizes Holocaust survivors to speak to schools and other groups,” explained Bessette.

Lichtman, who lives in Walnut Creek, frequently comes to Bay Area schools to speak of his experience during the Holocaust. “I want to spread the message so nothing like it happens again,” said Lichtman. “This is my contribution to that.”

Lichtman shares his story so that “they [those who hear his testimony] will be in a position when they are older to stop bad people from doing bad things.”

Freshman World History student Emma Overall found Lichtman’s visit a valuable experience. She added, “I would most likely attend again, because in order for the United States to succeed, we need to learn and understand history so we, as a world, know what to repeat and avoid to ensure world peace and world acceptance.”