Holocaust survivors share stories with students

SCRANTON — Lois Flamholz’s story of struggles during the Holocaust struck a chord with students Tuesday morning.

Flamholz, 96, who currently lives in New Jersey, was one of several survivors who addressed the children during the 36th annual Teen Symposium on the Holocaust at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Flamholz was sent to Auschwitz as a teen and then moved to a work camp where she was tasked with building roads, railroads and a factory.

“They gave us hammers and we had to break up stones and build the road,” she said.

When the camp was eventually evacuated, Flamholz and others walked for six weeks before arriving at Bergen-Belsen in Germany where she was liberated.

She said it took a lot of determination to make it through.

“We never knew from one day to the next whether we were going to survive,” Flamholz said.

Flamholz urged the students to act with kindness so other situations like the Holocaust don’t materialize.

“I suffered a lot ... you can’t even describe some of the things I went through and what kind of work I had to do,” she said. “I don’t wish it on anybody and I’m hoping it will never happen again. I speak to the young people because I want them to know what can happen from hate. I always tell them to treat everybody the way you want to be treated and be good to each other. I have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and I’m hoping I suffered for them already, too.”

Flamholz also cautioned the students about problems that can arise when a tyrant takes control.

“I want the young generation to know what can happen where there is one crazy leader who will do something and get followers,” she said. “That’s all it takes, and you never know what it can lead to.”

Julia Biko, an eighth-grade student at North Pocono Middle School in Moscow, felt Flamholz’s message was powerful.

“The real struggle she went through ... we never really experienced it, so we have no way of comparing what she’s been through,” Biko said.

Ben Levan, an eighth-grade student at Our Lady of Peace School in Clarks Green, thought the program was enlightening.

“It was really meaningful to hear how cruel the Nazis were,” he said. “I learned a lot about the concentration camps and what really happened.”

Another eighth grader at OLP, John Bracey, was impressed by the mental resolve of the Holocaust survivors.

“They never gave up,” he said. “They fought until the last moment.”

The symposium continues on Wednesday.