SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–Edith Palkowitz, local Holocaust survivor, held 60 students spellbound at the Lindsay Community Day School on Thursday, May 13, as part of the Words Alive Adolescent Book Group program.
The Lindsay Community Day School is a part of the Juvenile Community Court School (JCCS) system, which offers an alternative school setting for young parenting and pregnant teens. Lindsay has been a part of the Words Alive Adolescent Book Group (ABG) program for over 10 years, which facilitates book group discussions at the school monthly.
Palkowitz recounted her experience as a Holocaust survivor; living in a Budapest ghetto, losing her entire family and escaping to the United States at the ripe age of 19. “I cannot live in your shoes…you cannot understand what it is like to live in mine. But if you have hope, you will overcome anything,” Palkowitz remarked as she encouraged the teenage mothers to succeed and reach for their goals.
As part of the ABG program, the Lindsay students read Maus 1 by Art Spiegelman, which several copies were donated by Words Alive. The lead teacher, Dawn Miller also incorporated studies and lessons about the Holocaust and WWII.
Throughout Edith Palkowitz’ presentation, the students were encouraged to listen, ask questions and learn. When asked how she could recover from such a tragedy, Palkowitz definitely said, “I turned to books. Those 26 letters in the alphabet can become your best friends.”
She ended her presentation by looking at each girl, stating that “knowledge is power…with hope, anything is possible.” There was not a dry eye in the room.
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Preceding provided by Words Alive