Holocaust survivor speaks to students on campus
Hannah Alexander
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
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The speaker, Kurt Herman, now 78 years old, was nine years old when he became one of 49 children rescued to the United States by an American organization called Brith Sholom, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"I'm one of the fortunate," Herman said. "I was not in a camp and I do not have a number."
Brith Sholom was founded by Gilbert Kraus, a lawyer who practiced in Philadelphia and Doylestown, along with his wife, Eleanor. The program brought Herman to the U.S. before he went to a concentration camp, and after living with a foster family for two years in Allentown, Pa., he was reunited with his parents. However, Herman said he lost his grandparents at Auschwitz.
Herman said he uses his speeches as an educational tool, and stressed that while he does not want people to forget the Holocaust, there are also current genocides that we cannot ignore.
"We still have the same stuff going on, except this time it's blacks in Darfur instead of the Jews," Herman said. "If we could eliminate hatred we'd be so great."
Students that attended the event said Herman had a fresh take on the subject.
Jerreldon Rice, a senior film and photography major, who helped coordinate the event at which Herman spoke, said, "He had a different viewpoint than what everyone else is used to."
Jessica Grace, assistant director of CSPS, added, "Most thought he was engaging and took a lot out of it. … He is quite the character. He has truly lived an amazing life."
According to Herman, he became a speaker when one of his grandchildren asked him to speak at his school.
Since then, he has spoken at several high schools and colleges in the Philadelphia area. After the film Schindler's List came out, there was a demand for Holocaust survivor speakers, Herman said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Bob Grubman
posted 2/01/08 @ 3:22 PM EST
So, Kurt has a sad tale to tell.
I've read through his tale and it appears that poor old Kurt was only 9 years old when... absolutely nothing happened!
In spite of this, Kurt goes into schools with the sole purpose of frightening children while pretending he is a holocaust survivor. (Continued…)
Stephanie
posted 2/04/08 @ 7:48 PM EST
BOB- In response to your dense and unintelligent comment, Kurt speaks of HIS story and his families experience growing up during WWII. He talks to students and groups that usually have little to no education on the holocaust, some that previously even believed that the Holocaust did not even occur. (Continued…)
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