Schindler Holocaust Survivor Speaks With Fay Students

Rob Crawford

On Thursday, November 1, Fay’s eighth graders gathered in Harris Theater to listen to Mrs. Rena Finder, a Holocaust survivor who was one of the youngest people on “Schindler’s List.” Earlier this term, Fay’s eighth graders read Maus and saw the film Schindler’s List. Mrs. Finder, who was born in Poland and now lives in Framingham, told her personal, harrowing Holocaust story and spoke about larger issues of human suffering and justice.

After speaking, Mrs. Finder answered questions from students for almost an hour. All who attended the assembly were deeply moved by Mrs. Finder’s personal story and her pointed messages about courage and compassion.

Here are excerpts from Mrs. Finder’s talk:

“I would not be here if not for Oskar Schindler. He is a shining example of the difference that one person can make.”

“All of us who survived are getting older—survivors are dying every day—and we all feel very strongly that we must pass the torch of memory to the younger generations.”

“You cannot sit by when you see an injustice being done. For example, if you see one person bullying another person, there’s no such thing as, ‘I can’t do anything.’ There’s always something you can do. You are very important, and you can always make a difference.”

“I will not forgive those who committed such crimes against my family and my people. I don’t feel like forgiveness is mine to give. The forgiveness must come from those who were killed.”

“As far as I’m concerned, Oskar Schindler was perfect. He was a con man, a gambler, and he wasn’t a good husband, but he saved us. He put his life on the line. It’s true that he profited from it, but he was our hero, our savior. What he did, it’s impossible to describe. This world needs more Schindlers.”

Fay School thanks Kerry Winer, a teacher in Framingham and the mother of Fay students Jordan ’15 and Noah ’14, for bringing Mrs. Finder to Fay School.

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Schindler Holocaust Survivor Speaks With Fay Students