Benjamin Lesser was 11 years old when Germany invaded Poland. Now being one of the few survivors to this day, Ben speaks out on overcoming hate and humiliation. He survived an astounding four concentration camps, including Auschwitz, the 7-week death march, and the notorious ill-fated death train from Buchenwald to Dachau.

Today, he is the only person who remains that has survived the death train to Dachau and is alive to tell the tale. And in writing a memoir he found direction to rather make a curriculum for education, so the future generations would never forget what happened in World War Two.

The Zachor Holocaust Curriculum

During a zoom with his 3rd generation Granddaughter and myself, he shared how his book came to be and how the curriculum was born.

“I wrote a memoir for my family to know what happened, but when I finished writing it, I read it. I tore it up. I got so disgusted. I say, the world doesn’t need another memoir about my family. What they need to know is what happened in the Holocaust. So that I rewrote my book in a way that could be taught in schools.”

His granddaughter, Robyn Weber, expanded on how his book has become an educational tool across the world.

“It is used in schools worldwide along with the curriculum that he had established. Right at the time of COVID, actually, we had launched the Zachor Holocaust Curriculum. And it coincides with his book, but it’s also the first ever taught by a survivor online Holocaust curriculum. And it’s free.”

Ben has spoken with schools all over the world and has translated his book into several languages. His words reaching 40 different schools and impacting over 12,000 students annually. With the book and the course, being free the organization is willing to help any interested in using the curriculum. These teachings were how a school in Nevada finally was able to teach their students about WWII last year.

Holding the Promise of Hope

All of this is to follow the Zachor Holocaust Curriculum, to educate on the history, prevent it from happening again, and to prevail through adversity. Despite being 95 years old, Ben still tries to fight against Anit-semitism and support those struggling in the world.

“Anti-Semitism, unfortunately, was always here and will always remain. But we have to start stopping it. You have to work to stop that.”

As he continues to share his stories, others grab a hold the promise of hope and to never forget.

“While individuals can’t always choose what happens to them, but whether it’s crisis or calamity, people can choose to either let it ruin their lives or to learn from it and move forward.

It’s essential to understand the consequences of personal choices. It’s possible to let tragedy or trauma become a reason to stop living. But it’s also possible to live through extreme circumstances and commit to a life that has meaning, a life that matters.”