Holocaust Survivor To Share Story With Horsham Students

By HATBORO-HORSHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

While reading The Book Thief, seventh grade students at Keith Valley Middle School had many questions about what is was like to live through World War II and the Holocaust. Hoping to find answers to her students’ questions, Language Arts Teacher Sarah Beltz contacted the Holocaust Awareness Museum in Philadelphia and asked if there was someone available to speak with students about this sad period of history. Holocaust survivor Itka Zygmuntowicz offered to address the Keith Valley community at a school-wide assembly, which will be held March 15, 2016.

A Survivor Remembers

Mrs. Zygmuntowicz grew up in Poland. When the Nazis invaded the country, they imposed many restrictions that curtailed the freedoms of Jewish residents like Mrs. Zygmuntowicz and her family. Eventually, Mrs. Zygmuntowicz and her family were forced into a Jewish ghetto and then taken to Auschwitz concentration camp where she managed to survive for three years. She was later moved to another concentration camp. It was there that she was liberated by the Swedish Red Cross in 1945.

In 1953, Mrs. Zygmuntowicz moved to Philadelphia. She has written several books about her experience and shares her story with school groups and other organizations.

A Special Event

Mrs. Zygmuntowicz has agreed to meet with students at an assembly that begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15. Not only will she tell her story, she will also take questions from students in the audience.

Mrs. Zygmuntowicz has written several poems about her experience at Auschwitz, which students will read aloud during the assembly to pay tribute to her indomitable spirit.

The seventh-graders are also working on a hallway display that will greet her as she enters the building.

“Our seventh grade students are fortunate to have this unique experience. Sadly, as more time passes, there are fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors who are able to share their stories. My hope is that this will be an experience that my students will never forget,” said Ms. Beltz.

The assembly will take place Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at 9 a.m. at Keith Valley Middle School, 227 Meetinghouse Road, Horsham, PA.