Hi,
As you may know, "Light Up The Church" is a project of Root
Source.
The first week of every month, we send a few stories about Kristallnacht and the Holocaust that made the news in the previous month, and towards November 2025 we will share information about Light Up The Church 2025.
Please sign the Kristallnacht declaration.
How do we keep the memory of the Holocaust alive as the years pass and fewer survivors remain to share their stories?
Every month, I’m moved by the courage of survivors who continue to step forward, especially in
2025, as they participate in educational programs and memorial events around the world. Their presence is a living bridge between history and the next generation. With each passing year, their voices become even more precious and urgent.
Holocaust Survivors in
the Classroom
Across the United States and Europe, survivors are joining students in classrooms—sometimes in person, sometimes via video—to tell their stories. One recent event featured Rodi Glass, who was born in Amsterdam in 1936, speaking to students at
Cornell College. Her firsthand account brought history to life for students who may have only read about the Holocaust in textbooks. The impact of hearing a survivor’s testimony directly is immeasurable: it transforms abstract history into personal connection, fostering empathy and vigilance against hatred.
Memorials and Commemorations in 2025
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of several Nazi camps. Survivors like Arnold Klebbs, now 92, have returned to the very sites where they
were once imprisoned. On May 5, Arnold walked through Birkenau, recalling the day he was liberated by American soldiers. These journeys are deeply emotional, both for the survivors and for those who accompany them—family, students, and communities who witness living history.
At Yad Vashem, a new audiovisual installation honors more than 5,000 Jewish communities lost in the Holocaust. Light, sound, and animation bring these vanished worlds into focus, ensuring that their stories are not forgotten. As we approach Holocaust Memorial Day 2025, extra funding and support are helping more survivors attend commemorations, share their testimonies, and participate in remembrance ceremonies.
Passing the Torch: Survivor-Led Education
Survivors like Ben Lesser, now 96,
have dedicated their later years to education. Ben continues to share his experiences in schools and through his foundation, emphasizing the importance of resilience and hope. Others, like the sisters Andra and Tatiana Bucci, have published memoirs and participated in documentaries, ensuring their childhood memories from Auschwitz are preserved for future generations.
These stories remind us why it’s so important to keep learning and teaching about the Holocaust. As projections show that 70% of survivors will be gone within the next decade, the urgency grows. Their courage to speak, even after so many years, is a gift—and a call to action for all of us to remember and to educate.
Be Part of Remembrance: Light Up The Church 2025
As we look ahead to November, I invite you to
join Light Up The Church 2025. By illuminating your church, business, or home, you stand in solidarity with the Jewish people and honor the memory of Kristallnacht and the Holocaust. Register your
participation and help spread the light of remembrance and unity. Every act, every light, every story shared makes a difference.
Thank you for helping keep these stories alive. Let’s continue to listen, learn, and shine together.
Below is the update stories for the month of May 2025.
