This year’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which occurs on Jan. 27 each year, marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Jews from Auschwitz-Birkenau, a concentration camp in Poland during World War II. On this year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, LHS welcomed special guests to inform students about this time in history. “This is the first time this film has been shared at LHS,” said sophomore Jonah Rolnick. He is the grandson of Sarah Rolnick, who narrates her story in this documentary. The documentary, Stories for My Children’s Children: Lessons from the Holocaust, was presented to all sophomores in an assembly during the school day. “My father was the one who set up and produced the documentary. He had not done it alone, of course, [he had] the help of my grandmother, [along with] a film director and editors,” added Jonah. When asked how the film came to be seen by the sophomore class, Principal Matthew Sarosy said, “I first heard of the documentary from Mrs. Ivy Reilly, who has children in the building. She thought that we might be interested in viewing the documentary since there is a connection to LHS. The Rolnick family was instrumental in the production of the film as it highlights their family’s experience during the Holocaust.”
Sarah Rolnick has a long family history connected to the Holocaust. Sarah is also grandmother to Sayge and Genevieve, LHS Class of 2025 and 2022 respectively. Sarah’s parents were Holocaust survivors who were hidden in a barn two years after the Holocaust had begun in Poland. Her family was hidden in a hayloft in order not to be found by Nazi soldiers. Had they been discovered, they likely would have become victims. However, Sarah’s grandfather was not so lucky; his first wife and children were killed in a concentration camp as he was forced to work in the camp. The documentary also went into detail about Sarah’s many other relatives who were also victims of the Holocaust. “After the film was shown at film festivals, my father had decided on showing it in more places within the community [and] close to us: synagogues, churches, and eventually LHS,” said Jonah.
Sarosy offered his reaction to seeing the documentary. He remarked, “The documentary reminded me that every single person who experienced the Holocaust has their own unique story and that it is vitally important to continue to share those stories with future generations. We’ve all heard that ‘Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it’, and there are so many important lessons to learn from Stories for My Children’s Children. I’m grateful to the Rolnick family for sharing their story with us.”
Many sophomores found this presentation informational and impactful. “We wanted to show the students at LHS not just a story from the Holocaust, but a specific story that relates to some people within their community, showing that the fallout and the effects of the Holocaust are still present and felt within [Lynbrook],” remarked Jonah. Sophomore Anabel Ramsey, who viewed the documentary, said, “I learned that the German government did not pay relief to the families who were in hiding for years. I also learned that after the law was changed, families would receive a payment if an essay of their story was sent to the government.”
“After watching this documentary, I felt moved, seeing how hard the times [and the conditions they had to face] were for many people…It’s very hard to sit and watch a movie that tells such an important story but is so sad,” remarked sophomore Maya Roditi.
When asked about the documentary, sophomore Giovanna Cerino said, “I would describe it as a detailed story that walks you through the speaker’s parents’ lives during the Holocaust. It really brings you into their point of view.” In discussing his thoughts on the assembly overall, Sarosy said, “I was grateful that the assembly went so well. I spoke with students afterwards who all felt it was impactful. Hearing these types of first-person accounts is so important.”
With respect to plans to hosting this assembly in the future, Sarosy said, “Each year, we look to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a meaningful assembly. I would support showing this documentary again.”
