Livingston High School Alum, Father Speak About Holocaust

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Author Ann Schonwetter Arnold, a Livingston High School alum, and her father, Mark Schonwetter, a Holocaust survivor, recently spoke at an educational program in Livingston.

During the Livingston Education Foundation Community Book Club event, Arnold (class of 1987) and Schonwetter discussed her book, “Together-A Journey for Survival” and shared lessons gleaned from the tragedy of the Holocaust.

“Thank you, Schonwetter/Arnold/ Fiske families,” Livingston Public School District officials stated on social media. “It was a night that will be remembered forever.”

LEF president Greer Gelman explained why the book was chosen as this year’s Community Book Club:

"My family and I have known the Schonwetters for 40 years. Mark’s daughter, Isabella, I have been friends since meeting in first grade at Harrison school, and Ann and my older brother were classmates. I always knew Mark was a Holocaust survivor, but never really understood what this meant until I read Ann’s book. I knew how it affected me and how important it is to share this story of survival and hope. I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity for the story to be shared with the community in which Mr. Schonwetter proudly lived and raised his family, and where he still resides today."

According to a news release from Livingston school administrators, Schonwetter, who moved to Livingston in the mid 1970s, was also accompanied at the event by his wife, Luba, and his daughter Isabella Fiske (LHS Class of 1990).

"The family’s connections to Livingston Public Schools continue as Mr. Schonwetter’s grandsons both attend Livingston High School," administrators said.

When asked by a member of the audience about his "best life advice," here's how Schonwetter responded:

“First of all, enjoy your life. Then, live with friendship to everybody. Don’t get involved in fights. You may have a disagreement with somebody, you may have a different view from somebody – that’s normal in life, but don’t look for hatred… it will not get you anywhere. You are better being kind to everybody, and you will accomplish so much more in life.”

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Photo: Livingston Schools