A Holocaust survivor spoke Thursday night at the Innovation Auditorium at the Nursing and Health Innovation II building about the importance of continuing to remember what happened to Jews during World War II.
Bernard Scheer, who was 13 when Nazi Germany occupied his native Poland, said what he suffered was beyond history.
“We saw the darkness and we felt pain,” he said. “All of those I loved, and I love them still, they’re all gone. I do not wish to forget anything.”
Scheer said it is especially important for remaining survivors to tell their stories and not remain silent because there are people who continue to question the truth of the Holocaust.
“They want to erase the bloodstains from the pages of history,” he said. “What is important is the ability to convey our message and have somebody to convey it to.”
Scheer said he lost 19 family members during the holocaust. He said that should prove it happened.
“I promised myself that I would honor the memory of all my family,” he said. “Forgetfulness leads to indifference.”
Scheer also said it is important to continue remembering the Holocaust in order to create a better world for future generations by using the stories to teach them right from wrong.
“We tell our story of despair and death not to receive pity,” he said. “What we seek is understanding for our children and our children’s children.”
Mirna Lattouf, a faculty member of the School of Letters and Sciences and the organizer of the Humanities Lecture Series, said she agreed with Scheer.
“It’s very essential for our young to know that (genocide) is still happening, and it can happen to us,” she said. “A lot of times we distance ourselves when it’s somewhere else.”
About 175 people attended the event, Lattouf said.
“”I think the audience was mesmerized by him,” she said. “I hope that more and more young people will take interest in these kinds of stories of atrocities around the world.”
Maren Angus, a broadcast journalism freshman, said she thought Scheer’s lecture was very powerful.
“As a Jew, it really hit me hard … just hearing the story first hand of what he went through and his journey to the United States,” she said. “Every generation should know about the holocaust to prevent it from happening again.”
Scheer said he believes another holocaust could occur if the story is not told.
“We must honor the memory of the dead,” he said. “We are committed to the truth.”
Contact the reporter at salvador.rodriguez@asu.edu
