Holocaust Symposium

The struggle for equality can truly be seen in the hearts, memories, and lives of the survivors of the Holocaust. Erica Herz Van Adelsburg is one of the many Jews to survive the terrors of World War II. Her journey is very similar to Anne Frank's. She did not emphasize the ways in which she was mistreated during the discussion we were privileged to have with her. She did not discuss the terrors and awful happenings in depth. Erica told us the journey she was forced to take with her family. She emphasized the ways she stayed alive. It was so powerful to hear that just the sight of one of her family members in the concentration camp brought her the will to live. Her brother, mother, and father all survived because they were permitted to see each every day. Even if their time together was short, it must have been strong and satisfying enough to keep her alive. Erica Herz Van Adelsberg also spoke of the youth group that she attended at the concentration camp. She described it as a way to interact with youth just like her. She said that attending the youth group also brought her the will to live. It must have been so relieving to discuss the griefs, joys, and troubles with others her own age. When forced to leave the concentration camp to be deported, Erica Herz Van Adelsberg wrote a beautiful poem to her youth group. The poem illustrated the strong connection and hope that Erica was given through the members of the youth group. It was so powerful to hear a survivor of such a terrible event in history to speak about the deep connects and willpower that ordinary people can find in their families and friends.