The
“Holocaust Remembrance” event which took place on Sunday, November 13th in the
Fountain House living room was a tremendous success. The featured guest, Mr.
Sami Steigmann, a former Fountain House member, Holocaust educator/survivor and
motivational speaker, did an excellent job describing how he learned to survive
and thrive in spite of being a victim of Nazi experimentation(and the resulting
intense physical pain), homelessness and depression.
Sami
described his long, 70 year journey through various challenging experiences,
weaving in the history of the Holocaust, an event which mystifies him to this
day, because it was carried out not just by ordinary German citizens, but by
highly trained, educated and cultured people. The lesson to be learned, as far
as Sami is concerned is that people must not just be educated through the mind,
but through the heart as well.
The inspiration
to become a Holocaust educator and motivational speaker came partly through
Sami’s volunteer work at the Make-A-Wish foundation, where he encountered a
dying child who wore a button on his chest that said,”SURVIVOR”. From that
point on, Sami overcame much of his depression and anger and decided to
dedicate his life to volunteer work. At the
same time, he decided that he needed to better express himself, both in general
and more specifically about the Holocaust. The reactions he has gotten both
from children and adults(both verbally and written) to his Holocaust/motivational
speeches has spurred Sami to continue his work, because he knows for sure that
his work changes attitudes and lives.
Briefly,
this writer/event organizer would like to thank all the people who participated
in and worked hard on Sami’s event: namely Sami, Elliot Madison, Megan
Williams, Richard Koo, Alan Finkelstein and Judy Meibach. I’d also like to
thank the large and receptive audience, which include my supportive parents.
Hopefully,
future events like this can be arranged.
Craig R. Bayer
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