Our Class (By: Anush)

Coming into this class I did not know much about the Holocaust other than the mass murder that was demanded by Hitler. Now, I have expanded my knowledge and am very pleased that I took this class. The knowledge I obtained was insightful, and it presented a whole new light to how I view the Holocaust. This class is very educational, and I will now have much to say during social discussions about the Holocaust due to the knowledge I received in this class. I very much like how Dr. Clark and Dr. Levitsky conduct class lectures and how we are put into groups with LMU students via Skype to discuss class readings. I enjoy new things like this, and I think it should be introduced to other classes as well because it keeps the class alive and interesting. I value the class readings we do; all in their own turn give more and more insight to the Holocaust. The construction of this class (two classes from two different schools) was a first for me. I thought it was something new and it’s very impressive seeing how these two classes do so well together, and blend in. I like meeting new students from LMU and working with them. It was great meeting some of them at the 1939 Club, as well as seeing other survivors of the Holocaust there that I will never forget. I very much enjoyed my Survivor Project with Tiffany. We worked quite well together. The Survivor Project was a very educational experience. This was an experience that will stay with me forever
and every time I hear of the holocaust, I will be reminded of this class and the afternoon we spent with Mrs. Leventhal. This class has left a lasting impression with me, the most enjoyable events so far that this class has offered me is the 1939 Club, and our interview with Mrs. Leventhal.

My Classmates’ Blogs. (By: Anush)

It was very interesting to read other people’s experience with this project, and to learn about their survivor’s story. First, I would like to comment on Vince Brouwer’s and Donald Belisle’s blog’s on their survivor Zenon Neumark. I really liked the way they constructed the blog with a “question and answer.” They brought sort of a reenactment of the interview directly to us, I liked that. I thought Mr. Neumark’s story was unbelievable. Hiding in the open like that must have been quite an intense experience for him, and I appreciate him sharing his story with the world by writing his book. I thought the story of his sister Rena was touching, her having survived the concentration camps, but what I thought particularly interesting is that Mr. Neumark said him and his sister “never talked about it.” I know emotions can be so intense sometimes that they persuade you to erase something like this out of your memory, and I am assuming that is what Rena wanted to do. I just think she in particular, wanted to pretend like it never happened so that she can be capable of moving on. Thanks guys, remarkable story!

Second, I want to comment on Rene Firestone’s story. I really liked the way Alyssa said the she finds that “being in a survivor’s presence is surreal.” I felt exactly the same way. She put that into perspective perfectly. Rene’s story literally gave me the goose bumps. I have read about Dr. Mengele and the devastating experiments he conducted on Jews, and the fact that Mrs. Firestone interacted with him and survived is amazing. Also, the fact that Rene survived three different encounters meeting with her sister, pretty much tells me that she was destined to survive and tell the world her story. I thought it was very interesting how she did not have nightmares until she was told to tell her story. In my opinion, she probably repressed the events in her mind, and being asked to tell her personal story, triggered her first nightmare. Like Alyssa, I too am very glad that we have survivors today to tell us their stories. I think it is an honor being able to interact with these people. Their stories are what is most important to understand what took place. No other information can compare to that of an eyewitness encounter with such an ordeal. They are all in their own turn inspirational and courageous people.