While I still can, I must tell my story of the Holocaust

• Published in: Sun-sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
• Main Author: Jonas, Helen
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fort Lauderdale, Fla Tribune Interactive, LLC 25.01.2014
• Subjects: Goeth, Amon; Jonas, Helen; Schindler, Oscar

  We face choices every day. Those choices define who we are. On [Oscar Schindler]'s tombstone, there is a cross and written in Hebrew it says, "He who saves a single soul saves the entire world." Seven years ago I was urged to meet with [Amon Goeth]'s daughter Monica, on the grounds of the former Plaszow concentration camp in Poland. The film, "Inheritance," was made about our meeting. Someday, there will be no eyewitnesses to tell the world first-hand what happened. That's why I am committed to sharing my story while I can. On this day of Holocaust remembrance, I ask you to remember those who were lost and pledge to weigh the consequences of your actions each and every day, and not to stand silent -- as the world did at Plaszow -- in the face of injustice. We urgently need the next generation to give real meaning to "Never Again." Only education about the truth of Holocaust history can do that. Photo(s); Photo: Holocaust survivor [Helen Jonas], of Boca Raton, says "Schindler's List" director [Steven Spielberg] inspired her to participate in the documentary "Inheritance," about meeting the daughter of concentration camp commandant Amon Goeth. PHOTOS BY HELEN JONAS/COURTESY Photo: Helen Jonas says she is sharing her story wherever she can including with Sara Bloomfield, above left, director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Oprah Winfrey.