During a recent Middle School (MS) assembly, students were incredibly privileged to hear directly from Nana Lawton, a Holocaust survivor and great grandmother of Brian G. ‘31, in recognition of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). The assembly started with Justin Weiner, History Dept. faculty member, speaking briefly to the history of the Holocaust and how “individual experiences and perspectives shape how history is remembered.” Then, sitting alongside Brian and members and advisors of MS JADE (Jewish Affinity @ D-E), Ms. Lawton spoke to her personal experience in the harrowing, horrific period leading up to, during, and after the war, amidst constant threats of antisemitism and life-threatening persecution. Ms. Lawton’s narrative, delivered in a soft but strong voice, was all the more compelling in that she reflected her perspectives as a young child during this time. She shared how she was oftentimes fully separated from and with no contact with her parents, uprooted multiple times to places where she did not initially speak the language, all to avoid being discovered and deported to a concentration camp. Ultimately she made her way to the US and reunited with her family. The assembly then transitioned to reflections from several eighth graders on the book Berlin Boxing Club, a book they recently read that also centered on the Holocaust. In the thoughtful words of Sedi A. ‘30, “After listening to Nana Lawton speak and reading the Berlin Boxing Club, I was reminded of how important allyship is… We can all be allies to someone who needs us, even if their issues aren’t directly ours.”  

A sincere, heartfelt thank you to Ms. Lawton, Brian G., MS Jewish Affinity students and advisors, and all our presenters and participants, for an unforgettable assembly.  Never forget.