Holocaust survivor and inspirational speaker Leon Malmed was invited by Shalom club to speak about his experiences in World War II on March 19.
During the Holocaust, both of Malmed’s parents were taken away. Malmed and his older sister Rachel had to live with their neighbor for a couple of years. With the hope of seeing them again, their neighbors continued to pay rent.
“These are my only memories of my parents and that was the last time that I’ve ever seen them,” said Malmed. “I was silent for more than 60 years. I simply could not talk about it. Why did I wait such a long time to speak about this horrible era period of my life? I simply could not control my emotions and today it’s still very difficult to do so.”
Malmed talks about how many in today’s world don’t remember important and life changing historical events like the Holocaust.
“Too many on this beautiful earth still deny or pretend to deny the Holocaust,” Malmed said. “I have known poverty hunger and fear for three years day and night … It wasn’t only Jewish people getting persecuted, it was a whole nation, a whole world that was persecuted … We cannot be silent! Our educators and religious leaders must reminds us constantly… remind [us] of the catastrophes due to anti-semitism, racism and religious hatred that both happened… for centuries and it’s still going on as we speak.”
Vice President of Shalom Club Evan Engler, appreciated Malmed’s story and talks about the importance of keeping the Holocaust survivor’s legacy going.
“I think that just remembering or listening to [the Holocaust survivor’s] stories and then just retelling them [will keep their legacy going],” Engler said. “My grandfather is actually a Holocaust survivor and he’s told me his story of like growing up in Poland and escaping to Israel and I think it’s just important to remember that and tell other people about it and share it so everyone knows.”
Malmed’s goal for the new generation would be to learn from the mistakes of the past and to realize the importance for standing up against prejudice.
“I testify with a hope of my children, my grandchildren, my friends, you the audience that I address, would prevent repeating the events of the past,” he said. “By writing and talking about my personal experience … the Holocaust will never ever be forgotten. No matter what you have to talk and you have to resist. If Hitler was able to get to where he was it was because people did not resist enough, around the world. So you can’t be put down.”
