Henry Golde: Holocost Survivor Visits Merrill Middle School

On Friday, May 3, Holocost survivor, Henry Golde, paid a visit to Merrill Middle School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  Henry, now 84 years old, sat alone in a folding chair behind a microphone on the stage in the middle school gymnasium before a captive audience of over 400 middle school students and staff to retell the story of his five years of captivity at the hands of Nazi Germany during World War II. Henry, as tactfully a survivor of one of the most horrific experiences in history can, recalled some of events and conditions of his experience in captivity.  He concluded with a heartfelt message to the students of ending hate in the world and to learn to forgive.  Henry Golde also promoted the autobiography of his story in the book, Ragdolls, which was made available to students and staff for signing.





At the age of 11, Henry Golde, was first taken into the custody of Nazi Germany after to occupation of Poland in 1939. Germany had begun it ethnic cleansing of Europe by expelling all of the Jews, Gypsys  Gays, or anyone else considered inferior or a threat to the Third Reich. One of the amazing things from his story was not only the brutality at which these orders were carried out, but how many people turned a blind eye to the atrocities happening in their neighborhoods and country. Neighbors betrayed neighbors, even putting Jews against Jews, if it meant avoiding any repercussions rumored to happen if  the Nazis felt it was necessary.

Henry told about his travels through Poland and Germany, spending time in nine different concentration camps.  He shared stories of how he was able to escape death by sheer luck and some quick thinking.  Each time the camps were lined up to be counted, it usually meant the end for someone because a thinning of the camp was called for, someone was too sick or starved to stand, or the camp guards wanted to amuse themselves.  Henry learned quickly that the art of survival meant making yourself practically invisible, and pray each day your name would not be on a certain list, or hope that it was.

Many students were able to ask Henry questions and get their copy of Ragdolls autographed at the end of the presentation.  Kids were  most curious about what he felt like after freedom.  What did he do?  Where did he go? Henry shared that many of the prisoners that survived the ordeal died shortly after, only because they had forgotten how to live.  Henry was able to escape to the United States where he became an entrepreneur, and is now dedicated to traveling around the United States telling his story of ending prejudice and bigotry, promoting to young people that in order for change to happen, it has to start with them.

Ragdolls is written to retell the experience of the Holocaust from the perspective of an actual survivor. There are some other fiction and non-fiction books that I would like to suggest as a complement to Henry Golde's book.  Not all of them are about the Holocaust, but carry of message of human atrocities throughout history, or still happening today. I'm sure there are other books that you can think of that carry a strong human rights message.  Feel free to share your message in the comment box below.