Surprises in Everett (not about airplanes)

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The day before I left for my Passover travels, I spoke to a group of 100 students at Everett Community College.  I was invited by Dr. Charlie Fischer, who teaches a class on Holocaust memoir.

Last June Dr. Fischer went to Poland with the Seattle Holocaust Center for Humanity.  Joanna Millick was their expert tour guide and the group followed Sam’s story to Treblinka, through his 13 months there, the uprising, his escape and meeting Esther in the forest.  They met Eugenuisz and Alina Stys and saw the barn and the pit where they hid.

After my talk many students stayed and asked questions.  But one student held back; he seemed shy.  He waited until all the others were gone to approach.   He extended his hand to me and thanked me for my presentation.  He told me that his family came to America nine years ago from  Burma as refugees.  Like Sam and Esther, their family knew no English and had no money.   He had never heard of the Holocaust before and was deeply moved to hear Sam and Esther’s story and what had happened to the Jewish people.  I was equally moved to meet him and hear his family story.  What an honor to have been part of this learning experience.

Here is a beautiful article published the day after my talk by the Everett Clipper.

Visiting Author Delivers Passionate Account of Holocaust Survivors