Our community at the Chabad Jewish Center of Springfield recently gathered for an evening that will not soon be forgotten.
Walking into the room, one could immediately feel that something meaningful was about to unfold. Every seat was filled, and more chairs had to be added. There was a quiet sense of anticipation, a recognition that this was not just another event, but an opportunity to listen, to learn, and to remember. The packed room itself spoke volumes. It reflected how deeply people care, and how important it is that the stories of the Holocaust continue to be told and heard.
We had the privilege of hosting Erika Schwartz, a Holocaust survivor who traveled to us from Springfield, Missouri. Erika was born in the spring of 1944 in Nazi-occupied Hungary. Though she was very young when the war ended, the story of what her family endured has accompanied her throughout every stage of her life, from childhood, through her teenage years, and into adulthood, remaining with her to this very day.
Erika shared how she and her mother were the sole survivors of her mother’s entire family. With clarity and sincerity, she brought to life not only the facts of history, but the human reality behind them. At one point, she described the heartbreaking moment when her aunt took her own life in an attempt to save her family, a detail that left the room in stunned silence. Some of the details were truly heart-wrenching, even difficult to hear, and yet that is precisely why they are so important. Only by confronting the depth of that pain can we begin to understand the magnitude of what was lost.
Her words reminded us that the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis were not a number, but six million individuals, each with a name, a face, a family, and a story that deserves to be remembered.
Over the years, Erika has dedicated herself to sharing her family’s story in schools, museums, and communities. This past Sunday, our community was deeply moved to become part of that sacred chain of memory.
There is a natural inclination to shield ourselves from the most painful details of the past. Yet it is through hearing those details, even the most difficult ones, that we gain a true understanding of what was lost, and what must never be allowed to happen again. Remembering is not only about honoring the past, it is about shaping the future.
At the same time, Erika’s message was not one of despair, but of hope. She spoke about the strength of the human spirit and the ability to move forward without being defined by circumstances. Her life stands as a testament to resilience and to the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.
As we left the room, there was a shared sense that we had not only listened to a story, but had been entrusted with it. The responsibility now rests with each of us to carry it forward, to speak about it, and to ensure that the lessons of the past continue to guide us in the present and into the future.
The Chabad Jewish Center of Springfield’s next community event is a Gala Dinner on Thursday, Aug. 13, celebrating the organization’s 10 year anniversary. More information can be found at SpringfieldGala.com.
