Holocaust survivor Dr. Murray Kohn recently came
to Oakcrest High School to deliver an emotional speech about his
past experiences in Auschwitz during WWII. The event was organized
by Social Studies Teacher Doug Cervi.
Dr.
Kohn, now a professor at Stockton College, was forced into the
death camp at the young age of 12 on November 21, 1942. At
that age, he knew he was condemned to die, unless he used the “password” age
of 18, which meant he was ready to work. “I lived in hell
from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hunger, pain, fear, working—that’s
all I knew,” Dr. Kohn said. He fought for his life along
with his father until finally being freed on May 8, 1945.
When
asked how he was able to survive, Kohn said, “I do
not know how I made it, how my father made it. You call it luck,
divine Providence, sheer fortune, I don’t know.” The
first thing he did once he was freed was cry. “In Auschwitz,
we couldn’t cry, we weren’t allowed to cry. Not tears
of joy, at my freedom, I cried not out of fear. I cried because
of what I went through—and I’m still crying. I still
cry today. It was a nightmare,” he mentioned.
His
memories of that time still keep him from sleeping. Entire events
reappear, triggering moments from his past. He now sees
the world through different eyes, a whole different view. He questions
society, our culture, our ethics, morality, and responsibilities. “The
cancer of our society is not money, but that we must realize the
responsibilities we have to ourselves and the future.”
Even
after suffering through such a torturous experience, Kohn said, “I am a proud Jew. I am what I am.” Since
everyone is created equal, everyone deserves to be treated equally,
Kohn
said. Kohn urges the people of today to not be bystanders. In order
to prevent more manmade tragedies, people must take action, he
said.
Oakcrest
junior Megan Songprasit said, “After hearing such
an emotional speech, I really want to make a difference. Dr. Kohn
opened my eyes to what the world is really like. I don’t
want to live in a world full of violence and hatred, so taking
a stand now against such things is a start in progress.”
For more information contact:
Darlene A. Kopania, Journalism Department
Oakcrest High School, 909-2631
Student Contact: Jennifer Pilallis
