Guest speaker stresses Holocaust remembrance

Holocaust survivor Ruth Ravina spoke to students in the “Genocide and Holocaust” history class on May 17 about her experience surviving one of the worst genocides in history. Although she discussed an extremely depressing subject, her humor and lightheartedness made the speech more engaging for students as she emphasized the idea of the importance of Holocaust remembrance.

Ravina was only 2 years old when the Nazis invaded Poland, and hid in three different concentration camps before the Holocaust ended. She traveled undetected through camps and on trains, carried in backpacks and duffle bags and hidden in her mother’s bunk, since children were not allowed in the camps.

Ravina was 9 when the war ended, and after leaving Poland, traveled to Switzerland and Canada with her mother before coming to the United States to live with her cousin. Now in her 70s, she can speak six languages and recounts the incredible story of her experiences with the Holocaust Council of Greater Metrowest NJ in its “Twin With a Holocaust Survivor” program, which is how sophomore Evie Klein met Ravina. Klein, who asked Genocide and Holocaust teacher Chris Benacquista to bring Ravina to West Essex, stressed the importance of Holocaust remembrance in order to educate younger generations and keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.

“I feel that a lot of people, especially our age, are forgetting about what happened during the Holocaust and all of the struggles that Ruth faced and was able to overcome…it’s an inspiring story” Klein said.

The rest of the students in Mr. Benacquista’s class agreed that they found Ruth’s story inspiring, and they hope to continue to share her story and teach others about the Holocaust.

“It was a truly humbling and unforgettable experience hearing and remembering such a horrific event,” junior Sabrina Krasner said. “It was touching to hear her story and understand the Holocaust even more.”

Mr. Benaquista said he hopes his students take away the message that Ruth is spreading, and that they have learned a lot about the Holocaust from both Ravina’s story as well as from taking his class.

“This is why we study this subject and hopefully why you’ve taken this class, to learn about stories like Ruth’s,” Mr. Benacquista said.