Holocaust survivor reveals his tale
REMEMBERING THE PAST
Over 90 students packed Village 14-01, to listen to a survivor of the Holocaust to speak about his moments in the German concentration camps.
Two classes History 11- Peace studies, and Humanities 25- Global Issues came together to bring in guest speaker Anatol Chari or what many people like to call him, “Dr. Tony,” on April 16th at 4 P.M.
Following a brief description of World War II by History teacher, Timothy Braatz, Dr. Tony took the stage to describe the Holocaust experience.
“The reward for suffering is the experience,” said Chari. “I will start by sharing the happiest, saddest, scary, and scariest moments of my life with you.”
The ups and downs of his life all had the common theme of food, whether it reflected on watching someone beg for food or the onions that fell out of his pants.
The crowd listened as Chari went into details about the unhappy and cruel times at Gross Rosin, Auschwitz, and Bergen Belsen, the concentration camps he was made prisoner in. “The first thing you lost when entering Bergen Belsen was hope,” said Chari. “Although to survive at camp you need three things: street smarts, people to help you and lots of luck.”
Chari finished his story by describing the liberation from Bergen Belsen. After that the crowd was able to ask him questions.
One student asked Chari if he still dreams of the experience. “Everything reminds me of the concentration camps,” he said. “You can take me out of the camps, but you cannot take the camps out of me.”
Chari went on to show a few picture slides. One particular slide of the Star of David stood out. These were the badges worn by everyone at the camps. Above the star was an explanation as to why they were at the camp.
At the end of the lecture Chari stood around and posed for pictures and answered even more questions from audience members.
“He really made me realize how much better off this world is without war” said Vanessa Quinn, 17, undecided.