(Andrew Almazara/Munich International School)
On April 20, the MIS community had the honor of hosting Dr. Leon Weintraub who is one of the oldest living Holocaust survivors at the age of 97. Dr Weintraub was born in 1926 as the 5th child and only son in a Jewish family. His father died in 1927. Therefore, he was raised by his mother and 4 older sisters.
“It was like being raised by 5 mothers,” he said in his speech.
Dr. Weintraub was first affected by the war during his years as a teenager. During his time in captivity, he was sent to multiple concentration camps and due to pure luck eluded death several times, including a near escape from the gas chambers.
(Andrew Almazara/Munich International School)
Two 8th grade Jewish students said they felt greatly impacted by the speech and it meant a lot to them to have the opportunity to hear Dr. Weintraub ‘s experience.
“It was really sentimental and surreal because I’ve been spoken to about the topic but never in that way before, so it meant a lot and it also made me feel really lucky as a Jew that I didn’t live through that time as it is an unimaginable thing for a young boy to go through,” said Vicky W. (Grade 8).
Her classmate Hannah N. (Grade 8) said she was also really affected by Dr. Weintraub’s speech.
“It was really eye-opening for me, and I also think it was important for 8th grade to see it because not everyone understands it or is respectful about the topic,” Hannah N. said.
(Andrew Almazara/Munich International School)
These two girls are not the only ones who really appreciated Dr. Weintraub’s visit, the MIS community was very honored to be able to get an opportunity to hear Dr. Weintraub deliver a speech in person, and it left a memorable mark on the community.
Dr. Weintraub now lives in Sweden with his wife, but he visits Germany and Poland to hold speeches about his life before, during and after the Holocaust.
We thank him for the once in a lifetime experience to get to hear a Holocaust survivor and really understand what life looked like for Jewish people during World War II.