Surviving the Holocaust
Sarah Moses, a survivor of Nazi concentration camps, reflects on her experiences in an era of antisemitism.
On March 1, 2023, at Colorado State University (CSU), Sara Moses told her story of surviving one of the most horrific periods of human history. Moses is one of the last living survivors of the Holocaust concentration camps in Europe. With antisemitism on the rise, her voice is crucial for remembering tragedy and history.
Moses was born in Piotrkow Trybunalski, Poland, a Jewish Ghetto under Nazi control. She endured both Ravensbruk, the concentration camp for women, and the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp at just 5 or 6 years old.
Moses recalls in detail the atrocities she endured as one of the youngest to survive in the German-Nazi Concentration Camps. Torture and starvation were her early childhood.
British soldiers liberated Bergen-Belsen in 1945; upon discovering Moses, the soldiers believed her to be a baby due to her starving state. Moses said, “They thought I was a baby because I was so small…one of the soldiers held me all the way to the hospital.”
As difficult as a story like this is to tell, it is important to remember the brutalities in hopes of never repeating history. Moses’ strength was demonstrated as a voice that not only remembers but stands strong in the face of modern antisemitism.
Lauren Maskus, a participator in the event at CSU, revealed her feelings about Moses’ story in a time of racist tensions.
“…to hear their [Moses’ and others] story is something that is incredibly impactful, especially during this time where there’s a rise of anti-Semitic remarks and just ideals. So to hear Holocaust survivors speak and to have this event it’s incredibly moving and just very powerful, and I’m very glad that I was able to take part in it.
The Anti-Defamation League measured antisemitism beliefs in 2022 and found that “Over three-quarters of Americans (85 percent) believe at least one anti-Jewish trope, as opposed to 61 percent found in 2019.”
Unfortunately, this is no surprise as the media has become inflamed with antisemitism from influential people like celebrities and the rise of neo-Nazism.
Despite the shadow of hate and all Moses endured through the camps, she explained the beauty and hope in life after the Holocaust. She spoke about discovering new things, distinctly eating chocolate and ice cream.
“I thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world,” said Moses. “…I cannot keep it in the house because I will eat it all.”
Her hope resonated with the audience who listened to her speak. Alex Henningfield, a student at CSU, explained the significance of hearing Moses’ story.
“I feel as though having someone who’s personally gone through the experience … is just a lot more impactful, especially [for] the younger generation who don’t really know what has happened in such a tragedy like this. But I just think it’s great to show how the past, it can’t be repeated, and how to prevent that from happening [again].”
The feeling of the event was unanimous. The value of Moses’ story coming from someone whom themselves experienced an event that most only hear about left a powerful impact on the audience. The sense that we, as humans, need to change and be better to each other.
“I think it’s an incredibly powerful event, and it’s something that everyone if they have the time and the chance to go to, should,” said Maskus. “We only have so many Holocaust survivors that are alive now.”
Even through all Moses has faced and overcome believes in the humanity of people and that we can achieve peace for everyone.
