Holocaust Survivor Tells His Life Story To Prestwich Based School

Yesterday I learned how desperate the situation in the camps truly was and that events even through the most horrible crime known to man. Hope still burns bright and happiness can still supersede that. Life finds a way and we should all be grateful for all we have even things such as food, water, clothes, a bed, privacy, warmth, family. We should never forget love because without love only hate can come and as Ike said, ‘hate is a disease.’

Yesterday I took some important messages home with me. The main one that was a reoccurring theme in the talk was to be kind. I realise that whatever problems I may have in the future cannot compare to something like that. So, the main thing I learned is that if he can get through all of that I can also get through my problems.

From yesterday I learned that we need to be kind to everyone. We all share this planet every race and culture all live on earth, so we need to be kind and show love to one another. Even if you don't like a certain religion, keep it to yourself and don't show it in any way. I also learned that it is more important to choose life over power because if Hitler didn't express his views, he most likely would have lived a good life but he let the power get to his head and thought I'm in charge so I'm going to do anything to anyone. Because of this, a war broke out and millions of innocent Jews lost their lives.

‘Hate is a disease’ be kind if you can only be one thing be nice to others. Compared to Ike’s problems mine are so little and shouldn't worry about them if they are a big issue/problem I can overcome them like he did. Have faith and hope. Yesterday the assembly with Ike was amazing it was amazing to hear a first-hand account from a survivor. This made me realise that we need to aspire to be nicer and help other people.

I think that us as children should work harder as we have so many opportunities that Ike didn’t have. I also think Ike is a very strong person for managing to keep going after all his trauma, it makes me want to work harder.

I found it really inspiring and motivating to hear the stories of Ike Alterman. The fact that he went through all of that and came through it, and now is talking about it openly is something I consider incredible and extraordinary. It was amazing to hear such a story and it was told so honestly that I learned a lot about the Holocaust and the sort of feelings an experiences people had. One of the most interesting but devastating facts is that Ike was told to gather sprouts for the Christmas dinner off the Nazis and that he has never eaten one since. This really shows the deep trauma caused and the amount of pain just a small item come bring back.

I think it is important for us and everyone doing this topic to hear from a Holocaust survivor whilst we still can as it realises the plight and suffering of the Jewish people more than reading an account ever could. It was also very important to hear from a man who had lost everything yet still had faith in us and humanity to make the world a better place. He couldn't change his past, but we can change our future.