Last night I went with my friend Ivy to the Jewish temple to hear Marion Lazan speak. She is a Holocaust survivor. She wrote a young adults/children's book about her experiences. I read the book about two weeks ago and last night I got to hear her speak. It was phenomenal! I am amazed and in awe of people who go through extreme tragedy and come out strong and without bitterness! Mrs. Lazan is both! Her message is one of hope and faith and most importantly, one of love and peace! I do not understand MASS hatred...and Mrs Lazan teaches "her audience to be tolerant of others and not stereotype individuals based on religious belief, color, race or national origin. She stresses the importance of positive thinking as well as creativity and inner-strength when working to overcome adversity. She warns students to be true to themselves and not blindly follow the leader." Mrs Lazan's entire family was held in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp...her mother, father, & brother! To occupy her mind and time while being held prisoner, Mrs. Lazan believed that if she could find four perfect pebbles that were the same size, shape, and color...her entire family...all four of them...would survive! And they did! Her story is remarkable and testifies of the strength of the human spirit! I recommend you read this book...and go and hear her speak if you can! Hearing live testament of these events will only be possible for a short time more...take advantage of it! To close I want to leave you with a quote Mrs. Lazan shared with us, it was said by the British Statesman Edmund Burke, "Evil prevails when good men do nothing."
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