Holocaust Survivor

 

This morning, summer school had the pleasure of hearing the story of Holocaust survivor, Jerry Valfer.  He was born in Germany in 1924.  He and his dad were sent to a camp in 1938.  He was sent back to his mother because he was too young.  His parents had the foresight to send his older brother to Palestine.  Jerry was too young to go at the time; when Jerry was old enough to send, the Italian border had been closed.  Later after living in Denmark, he did eventually end up in a concentration camp, where he was reunited with his parents.  He stated that the three of them were one of the few families that actually made it out of a camp with all members still living, when the camp was liberated in 1945.

Jerry stated several times that you can't become bitter because of what you've experienced in life and that two wrongs don't make a right. He talked about how being hungry is one of the worst experiences to endure.  After coming to the United States, he became a chef. 

 

Mr. Valfer lives in Rochester, Minnesota now.  In 2000, he co-authored a book about his experiences titled,  Jerry's Story: Sometimes I Didn't Think; I Just Kept on Living. I just ordered a copy from Half.com.  I wish I had had the forethought to order it and have it here for him to inscribe after his talk.  

I appreciate his willingness to share his story with our students and staff.  It is important that we not forget the Holocaust and those who died due to prejudice.