Add to Calendar
When:
16 April 2013 @ 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
2013-04-16T07:30:00+00:00
2013-04-16T09:00:00+00:00
Where:
Canterbury Hebrew Congregation Shul
Contact us for details
Contact us for details
Cost:
Free
The work of Oscar Schindler in saving many Jews from Nazi slaughter was made famous by Steven Spielberg’s movie “Schindler’s List.”
This year, with the NZ Zionist Federation and the Wellington Holocaust Centre, invite you to attend an evening with Eva Lavi.
When a German officer pointed at her to enquire why she wasn’t selected for the camps, Schindler stepped between them and argued that she was necessary for assembling tiny parts in their manufacturing facility. Unable to argue otherwise, the officer moved on.
She was less than five years old.
Meet history in person.
We look forward to you joining us.
Dear Eva Lavi,
Hi, I am a sixth grade student and doing a report on the Holocaust. I am interviewing a few Holocaust survivors and I am asking them about their experiences. I know of course that it is probably very hard to say and it is perfectly fine if you don’t feel comfortable explaining it. I know it was probably the hardest experience in your life and you probably don’t want to re live it but if you could find the time to just tell me a little about how it was than that would be great. If you can, some things I would like to know are, were there a lot of people at the concentration camps? How and where did the Nazis find you? And finally, what were some of the things you experienced at the concentration camps. Those are all my questions. Thank you very much for your time and for reading my email.
From,
A sixth grade student
Hi Sixth Grade Student
Thanks for your questions. Here are a few answers:
Q. If you can, some things I would like to know are, were there a lot of people at the concentration camps?
A. I was in the Plaszow Labour Camp, near Krakow. Approximately 8,000 people were executed just outside the camp. All were buried there and later exhumed. There were 17 truckloads of ashes. Over 150,000 people passed through the camp. Thousands of people were in the camp at any one time. It was a labour camp so all had to work. Those who couldn’t work were either shot on the spot or sent to Auschwitz.
Q. How and where did the Nazis find you?
A. We were forced to live in the Ghetto. When the ghetto was dis-established we were transferred to the Plaszow Labour Camp near Warsaw.
Q. And finally, what were some of the things you experienced at the concentration camps.
A. You can read of my experiences here: https://www.nzfoi.org/2013/04/17/eva_lavi/; and you can watch me tell my story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZcAc2CX2mA&feature=youtu.be
Hi im a ninth grade student
On my bucket list i wanted to talk to a holocaust suvior because the subject just drew me in .
In eigth grade we had a project on the holocaust and i had to read more about it because i wanted to know how was life before the Nazis , How did you survive , Did you try escaping ? I know it was the worst thing that happen to you and its hard to talk about it . Im sorry you had to go through this hard time because of your enthicthy , relgion . Thank you for the time to read this
Ashley Ouellette
Hello I am a ninth grade student doing a report on some holocaust survivors.
I just have a few questions about the some certain things for this report. When did you go into the concentration camp and when where you released? (like what year) Also, where did you come from? I understand if you don’t reply to this, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would at least consider it.
Thank you for your time,
Timothy Fairchild
Eva’s story can be found here: http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/8558776/Schindler-helped-child-of-miracles-survive
Based on this account, she entered the camp in 1942 and was freed in 1945. She lived in Krakow, Poland. Ultimately all Jews Come from Israel in the Middle East. Their story may be found in the Bible.
hi I am a six grader I just wanted to know what is your 2 children name and also your 3 grandchildren if you can just respound that will be great by the way I am doing a research about the sivivors of the holocaust
thank you
I’m sorry but because the very real danger that Anti-Semitism puts Jews in, that information cannot be circulated.
Hello I am in 8th grade. I was wondering what it was like when Schindletr saved you. Where were you, did you ever meet him, how did he save you?
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you:
Eva’s story can be found here: http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/8558776/Schindler-helped-child-of-miracles-survive.
A more detailed version may be found here: https://www.idfblog.com/blog/2014/04/24/the-youngest-survivor-of-oscar-schindler-now-75-tells-her-story/
Dear Eva Lavi,
I am a 7th grader and I am doing a NHD (National History Day) project about Oskar Schindler. The topic is about taking a stand in history and we feel Oskar Schindler has had a impact on history and you would be a fantastic person to help us find more information. I know it might be hard for you to recall and relive your memories but if my group and I could have an interview with you one on one on the phone, that would be great. Would you be able to give me your contact information, so my group and I can call for an interview? Thank you so much.
I’m sorry but for reasons of confidentiality and safety, we do not distribute Eva’s contact details. We suggest you contact your nearest Holocaust Museum and they may be able to put you in touch with a survivor in or near your community.
Hi this is Lillian Gong, a student of Mesa Verde Middle School. I’m participating in the National History Day Project in San Diego, and am required to interview an expert on my topic. This year’s theme is on people who have taken a stand in history. I’ve chosen to focus on Oskar Schindler as my topic, and would greatly appreciate it if you would be able to take time out of your schedule for this interview.
I know that this is a very uncomfortable experience and may have traumatizing memories. However, if you are able to do this interview, please email me at lngong010@gmail.com as I am required to send a consent/approval form for you to fill out so I can turn in to my teacher.
The questions:
1. What factors inspired Schindler to protect his workers? Even though the Nazis were cruel, why was Schindler and a couple others the only ones who took action?
2. What did Schindler defy/stand against when he chose to protect the Jews? What did he risk?
3. How did Schindler influence the rest of society/humankind/people? What do you think of him as?
4. What was the purpose of his actions? (consider?to break the racial barrier.. offer protection)
With all due respect, Thank You for your time and consideration of this request.
Please respond as soon as possible ( even to decline ) as this interview is due by February 1st.
Hello My name is Brianna and I am from New Zealand
I am studying the Holocaust and about Oskar Schindler and was wondering if you are able to answer these three questions.
1) How influencial was Oskar Schindler?
2) What caused Oskar Schindler to help the Jews and risk his life to save others?
3) What were Oskar Schindler’s views on the treatment of Jews during the Nazi reign?
Thank you
Please respond as soon as possible as my assignment is due in on the 21st of March.
Hi Brianna
Thanks for reaching out.
Eva receives thousands of requests for further information and unfortunately she can’t reply to everyone.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind, we can help you with answering some of your questions:
1. How influential was Oskar Schindler?
His story has been heard by millions of people. It has been an inspiration to all who are considering whether to do the right thing even though your government and authorities won’t allow it.
His actions have inspired books, films and documentaries. The movie Schindler’s list won the 1993 Academy award for Best picture and was ranked by the American Film Institute as the eighth on its list of the 100 best American of all time. The Vatican named amongst the most important 45 films ever made.
Over the years, some people have questioned his motives that his courageous acts and the scale of what he did, put himself in much danger of losing his life over a prolonged period. Consequently, these questions of his motives are greatly weakened when this is considered. Doubtless, the people whose lives were saved would say that his actions were incredibly influential because they could live and become. Many married, had children and grandchildren.
2. What caused Oskar Schindler to help the Jews and risk his life to save others?
No one will ever know for sure. Some speculate that he began helping the Jews because it allowed his factories to remain in production, and in so doing allowed him to continue making money. But on the other hand it is estimated that he spent over 4 million marks to save his Jewish workers, a figure so large that it’s unlikely that he actually ever made much profit from his wartime business ventures. An examination of life will quickly reveal that he was hardly an angel but at some level he saw that he had the opportunity and means to do good, and did it.
3. What were Oskar Schindler’s views on the treatment of Jews during the Nazi reign?
This is from an interview that he gave to the Jewish telegraphic agency and published on January 20, 1972:
“I hated the brutality, the sadism and the insanity of Nazism. I just couldn’t stand by and see people destroyed. I did what I could, what I had to do, what my conscience told me I must do. That’s all there is to it. Really. Nothing more.”
“I was an Austrian or a Pole – the border changed so many times I lost touch,” he said, “I was repelled, no. really horrified by the brutality of the Nazis. I wasn’t sure what I could or should do, but I knew I had to do something. I had known Jews in my youth and I liked them. These Nazis…”
We hope these answers assist you with your studies and publish them to assist others who are studying this remarkable story at school, now and in the future.