4-16-05

Dear Mr. Getman,

    Thank you so much for taking your time to speak to my class about your experiences as a Jewish prisoner in the Nazi work camp. I am an 8th grade student at South Side Middle School in Rockville Centre. You spoke to my class on Wednesday, April 13, 2005. I know it was very difficult for you to tell us about your life as a teenager. You expressed yourself very well and I appreciated that you shared your memories and emotions with us.

    I was amazing to hear your life story first-hand and it moved me very much. I am learning about the Holocaust in school. We have read stories about people who lived during the period in which the Nazis were in power. You were very brave to have escaped from the work camp. I took a lot of courage to do what you did. It was terrible for you to have to leave your mother and sister. On a lower level I see prejudice around me every day like you did. It is not of the same intensity as what you had to suffer but it is still cruel and hurtful to those that are victims. Your speech helped me understand how horrible this time period was. When I actually heard someone telling their own life story with such emotion it was even more powerful than any story that I have read. The world must make sure genocide never happens again. I'm very grateful that you were willing to come to our school to let us know what happened to you and others.

    I am grateful that you came to teach my class more about the Holocaust experience. I will tell your story to my family and friends that did not hear your speech. It is something that I will never forget. Thank you again for your time and generosity.

Sincerely,

Michael H.

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