Marc Tanchel, President of Temple Emanuel, introduces Sandy Rubenstein before she speaks to the 7th graders.
KAPLEN JCC ON THE PALISADES, TENAFLY, NJ
Dear Mrs. Rubenstein, What a moving presentation! Thank you so much for your time and effort, sharing your history and legacy with us. I was deeply moved, especially since I survived Hitler’s Germany. Everyone present today felt the same way I did. Best wishes to you and your husband. Gratefully, Ellen Levy
TEMPLE EMANUEL OF THE PASCACK VALLEY
Dear Rabbi Kniaz, We would like to thank you for the opportunity to attend Ms. Rubenstein’s presentation on her father’s experiences during the Holocaust. One could not walk away without feeling the deep and personal pain that Mr. Horn experienced in surviving the horrors of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. On the other hand, Mr. Horn’s story of survival was awe-inspiring as ultimately evidenced by his emigration to the United States and the family that he and his wife, also a survivor, started and raised. The fact that Mr. Horn survived is truly a miracle after skirting death so many times. When we heard about the multiple instances where Mr. Horn escaped certain extermination (from Mr. Horn’s secret bar mitzvah, to convincing German guards that he was useful by correctly answering how to determine the circumference of a circle, to escaping a labor camp), we were almost left breathless. It is imperative that the stories of survivors continue to be heard so that generations to come cannot only learn from the past but can dictate change so that tragedies are not repeated. This presentation was very emotional and intriguing. Jaden said, “This made me want to pick up Mr. Horn’s book and really understand what went on in Mr. Horn’s mind.” Jaden also said that this increased his interest in learning about the Holocaust. Thanks, again, for this unique opportunity.
Amy, Scott and Jaden Gerard – Religious School Director Shelley Kniaz, Parents of a 7th grader and members of Temple Emanuel
YOM HASHOAH – EAST BRUNSWICK JEWISH CENTER
“What a pleasure to meet and work with you. Your warmth, direct contact with the audience and professionalism helped achieve the Commemoration planning team’s educational and program goals. Your dedication to Holocaust Education and the heart you invest in sharing your and your family’s story are much appreciated.”
Gabriela Sadote Sleppin Director, Jewish Community Relations Council Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County
Kean University
“I can’t thank you enough for speaking to the 2G group of the Holocaust Resource Foundation. The event was meaningful for so many reasons. First, of course, is the powerful way you share your father’s experiences and your memories of him. The emotional impact connects the entire audience to him, and to you. Next, I was so thrilled to finally meet you. After our first phone conversation, I could not wait to be in the presence of such a dedicated educator – you have already motivated me in my own work. And finally, your presentation inspired so many in our group to develop their own family histories and to connect to their legacies. “Thank you for your encouragement of our group. I know everyone is looking forward to working with you again in the future.”
Stacy Schiller, Acting Director Holocaust Resource Center/Diversity Council Kean University Union, NJ
George Jackson Academy
“We thank you for the truly moving presentation you gave to the boys and, in the process, provided us with an exceptional amount to think about. While the subject was emotionally difficult for the boys, their comments to me afterward indicated that your father’s story was not lost on them nor the myriad lessons of universal import to be gleaned from it. They were universally absorbed by what you had to say. So much so, that one-eighth grader proclaimed: ‘The numbers that we frequently hear about the Holocaust, such as six million, do not mean anywhere near as much as one person’s story.’ Because of your father’s story as told by you and him, the stories of countless others not only came to life, but also came to have real substantive meaning for our boys. “Our primary role as educators at GJA is to give our boys the tools to think in an unfettered fashion. Each and every day we try to find ‘the question’ that will engage them in this quest. Your perfectly orchestrated, ever so inspiring sharing of your father’s story served to fulfill that goal in so many ways. My hunch is that it will continue to do so for the rest of the boys’ lives. “What a wonderful afternoon you brought to the boys and their mentors at GJA. I do hope you will come again and bring your magic with you.”
David M. Arnold Head of School George Jackson Academy www.gjacademy.org
Northern Highlands High School, Allendale, NJ
Dear Sandy, I just wanted to say thank you again for coming to present at our school. The afternoon you left, I had so many faculty members approach me to say what a wonderful, beautiful, and meaningful presentation it was. I am deeply impressed by your dedication and sincerity in passing on your father’s story and to continue to “bear witness” for all those whose lives were lost. May we all continue to do the good work that’s needed in the world.
-Sincerely, Denise Talotta, Guidance Counselor
Presentation at the home of Karen and Robert Meister
“It was a pleasure meeting you at Karen Meister’s home last week. My husband, mother-in-law, a survivor herself, and I were very moved by your excellent presentation of your father’s tragic personal experiences in the camps. You are certainly keeping your beloved father’s memory alive and vibrant. I felt as though I had met him and heard the stories from him personally. I have just started reading his book and am finding it hard to put down.”
-Marcelle Mervis, daughter of Holocaust survivors
In London, Sandy presented at the London Jewish Cultural Centre to two audiences:
Bergen County Professional Guidance Counselors Association, Ramsey, NJ
“What a wonderful and moving presentation. Your father was a man of wonderful spirit, courage and strength. You are a woman of great strength too, with poise and beauty. Thank you for sharing your time, your work, and your father’s story with us.”
-Karen Rae Steele, President, Bergen County Professional Counselors Association
Bergenfield High School
“Thank you for a truly moving presentation today. The other 9th grade teachers had a great deal of feedback from the students in class after your talk. Students had many more questions that were answered and led to very intense discussions. One of the History teachers said that the discussions led the students to become more introspective and led to personal comments that brought some to tears. You are a true credit to both of your parents for your spirit in sharing with us.”
-Hilda MacLean, Teacher, Bergenfield High School, Bergenfield, NJ
Temple Emanuel, Woodcliff Lake, NJ
“On behalf of the 7th grade students and parents, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your presentation on Sunday, October 18 th . The students and parents were so moved by the story of your parents’ journey. As you know, the students will be visiting the US Holocaust Museum next week, and you’ve given them such insight into the events of that time. I hope you will share this meaningful story with all of 7 th graders in the coming years. I know that all the participants will gain an even greater understanding through reading the memoir, Mark It With a Stone , written by your father, Joseph Horn.”
-Gary Hirschberg, President, Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley
“I heard tremendous feedback about your program. Thank you again; we are so privileged to have the opportunity to have you in our children’s lives. It is such a mitzvah that you do this work that so greatly honors both the memory of your father and all victims and survivors. It also continues his wish that we remember, bear witness, and that the next generation learns to fight injustice in our own time.”
-Mark Tanchel, MD, Co-chair, Board of Education, Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley
Glen Rock Jewish Center, April 23, 2009, Glen Rock, NJ
“I knew the story, saw the video, and yet, I was speechless. You are an incredible presenter with an important story to tell.”
-Elaine Meyerson, Executive Director, Shelter Our Sisters
“My thanks to you for a meaningful presentation.”
-With blessings, Rabbi Tow, Rabbi, Glen Rock Jewish Center
Horace Mann School, Riverdale, New York
After my presentation to the Middle School students, Laurence Sulner, a sixth grader, was inspired to write this poem:
The Holocaust Remembered Shots ring as soldiers arrange groups of Jews
The humming of the locomotives
The mumbling in German, “filthy Jew”
The whispering in the underground Safe Place
The sharp sound of synchronized steps on the streets Of the ghettos
The BANG of a pistol and the THUD of an innocent being collapsing As desperate voices scream HELP Yet receive nothing but a loud silence
The murmurs of Yiddish in the grimy cars
The screams and cries of childless mothers
The shuffles of room-less feet wiggling on the floor
The metal gears that screech to a halt.
The steel mouths screaming HERE WE ARE, so PREPARE TO BE SHOWERED
Listen listen listen
The gates are opening
The smell of fear travels round ARBEIT MACHT FREI: Work will make (one) free Voices calling and yelling GATHER THEM UP ‘CAUSE THEIR TIME IS UP
“Once again, thank you for your visit and your very powerful presentation. Your father’s story touched us all. We hope that you continue to come back and not allow this piece of history to ever be forgotten.”
-Lynne Hirschhorn, 8th Grade Dean
“I couldn’t help but notice how you are able to look out upon your audience and see their expressions as they soak up your father’s story. One of the final images, of the large rocks representing the cities and Jewish citizens who perished, made me think of each and every one of these students who are now bearing witness to your father’s story, and how this dream of his has been realized. I’m sure many seeds were planted today.”
-Jeannie Aaron, parent
“I was very moved by your presentation this morning. You are a beautiful speaker. I was touched by your father’s story, especially in the details, and very moved, also, by your devotion to keep telling it.”
-Stacey Mindich, Stacey Mindich Productions
“I was so profoundly touched to see and hear both you and your father this morning. Who could imagine on a cold, rainy, miserable day such as this that I could feel so hopeful and uplifted. Your masterful and heartfelt telling of your father’s story had a major impact on your audience, and what an enraptured group they were! Horace Mann is truly a magical place and this morning, you were Merlin.”
-Debbie Kochnower Oronato, guidance counselor
Teaching Seminar for Facing History and Ourselves, New York, NY.
Facing History and Ourselves is an educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and antisemitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry.
Good Afternoon,
I cannot encapsulate to you, how grateful I am and how much I appreciate you sharing your story about your father. It really touched me. As a victim of Bosnian war and genocide, I was touched and one question still remained: “How come no one intervened?” Currently, I am teaching English at Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria, Queens. I try to bring in my own experience and relate it some of the material in the classroom. When I came back from the Facing History seminar, I reflected on some of the things you have said and one thing in particular affected me deeply and I never thought of it. You talked about your mother and the fear of authority and bills and paying bills on time. That is typical of my father, who was shot and wounded by Serbs in 1994. He resides in Michigan with my mother and I just realized that the war made him the way he is today. He is constantly worried about authority and always checking up on me if I paid my own bills, as if someone will come and take everything away from him or take him to jail. That was really inspiring and it made me think deeper. Thank you for sharing your story and even though I have been through a war, I was deeply affected by the things you shared with us, for no genocide can be compared, however ought not to be forgotten.
-Dzenana Kurtovic