Holocaust Survivor Reinforces Life Lessons for Cloonan Middle School Students

From College for Every Student.

Judith Altmann was the same age during the Holocaust as many of the Scholars she spoke to at Cloonan Middle School, a fact that however-hard-to-grasp, resonated greatly with Scholars. As part of the College For Every Student program, Altmann came to talk to the Scholars about her life path, the horrors she faced in the concentration camps, and the importance of taking control of your future.

Throughout the course of the war, Altmann was sent from Auschwitz to the Essen and Gelsenkirchen labor camps, and in 1945 was forced on the Death March to Bergen Belsen, the same camp where Ann Frank died. “Anyone who survived the camp of Bergen Belsen will live forever,” is a saying Altman recalled during her talk.

She told Scholars her story of pain, terror, and finally triumph through education and service. Scholars got to see pictures, newspaper articles, and to hear firsthand accounts, and valuable life lessons.

“Learn all you can. Education is the one thing no one can take from you,” Altmann reinforced throughout the talk. Altmann speaks seven languages. Her survival she attributes, in part, to her abilities as a translator in the camps. Her knowledge had a value beyond money and physical possessions, she explained, a value that may have helped save her life. As soon as Altmann was released, she chose to continue her education, vigorously learning all she had missed during her time imprisoned.

Altmann also delivered a strong message of service, urging the Scholars to be leaders in their everyday lives. “You children are our future. Whatever you can do, please do. Write letters. If you see an injustice on the street, don’t just say this doesn’t concern me. Make a better country. Make a better world.”

Scholars were able to ask dozens of questions like “Did you know Ann Frank?” “Where did you go after you were freed?” “How did you make up for the years of school you missed when you were at the camps?” “ Did you have an inspiration to keep going?”

One Scholar asked, “Do you ever forgive the people who did this?” Altmann responded, “I do not carry hate. Hate destroys only you.” Another asked, “What do you think is the biggest impact being in the camp has had on your life?” “I appreciate every little thing,” Altmann said without hesitation.
“Learn everything you can, be good to other people, and give back” was Altmann’s final message for the Scholars, reiterating the three CFES core practices.

CFES Scholar Jahdavid Jones, on behalf of the Cloonan Scholar family, presented Judith with a plant to represent ongoing life, and gratitude for her visit. “We love you as a person and we love your story, and our hearts are always with you,” said Jones. “We should hold her words about education and about accepting others with us every moment of every day.”

Contributed photo.