Holocaust Survivor Brings Her Story to the Classroom

PA Distance Learning had the pleasure of hosting Holocaust survivor, Irene Skolnick, Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs. Skolnick delivered her powerful account of her family’s experience during the Holocaust to students in grades six through twelve through a live stream, as well as to numerous students, teachers and staff in-person at PA Distance Learning.

Mr. Peter Mysels teaches the History of the Holocaust class at PA Distance Learning. This is the second time Mr. Mysels has worked with the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh to bring in a holocaust survivor to share his or her story with PA Distance Learning students. Judah Samet spoke to the students during the 2017-2018 school year.

Mrs. Skolnick shared countless stories about numerous close calls and how luck was on her side, time and time again. She and her family purchased forged passports and lied about their identities, as they did everything they could to avoid being captured and sent to Poland’s second largest extermination camp known as Majdanek.

Although luck was on her family’s side, it was ultimately her father’s ability to talk his way out of even the most difficult situations, and her mother’s coolness under pressure that helped keep their family safe.

There was one point in time when Mrs. Skolnik was put on a truck headed for the concentration camp and tried to run away. She didn’t get very far, and the forces brought her back to her neighbors who were also lined up on the truck. It was then when her neighbor told the forces that he was a doctor and Mrs. Skolnik was their daughter, allowing them to escape captivity.

There were more close calls throughout her four years in hiding, but it ultimately ended with her dancing in the street with two other friends once they realized the Germans were running away from Russian forces and the war would soon be over.

She outlined the entire story in her book, “In the Shadow of Majdanek.”

Mrs. Skolnik spoke for almost two hours and also took questions from the audience. She offered some incredible advice to everyone in attendance while answering the final question.

“We are all people. We are all the same. Regardless of religion, or origin, we all have hopes or aspirations,” Mrs. Skolnik said. “There are good people and there are bad people. We can’t let one rotten apple destroy the bushel. Don’t categorize. Be careful what you say. Words carry a lot of weight. When in doubt, give people the benefit of the doubt.”

Editorial Note: All students who attended or watched this event are strongly encouraged to do a write-up of the event and enter the 2019 – 2020 Waldman International Arts and Writing Competition for a chance to win a scholarship!