Holocaust Survivor Halina Zimm spoke in dramatic and touching ways at a Yom HaShoah event at the Chesterfield Baptist Church on April 10.

 

About 20 secondary students from the Chesterfield Montessori School were present – many of them hearing such first-hand stories of Jewish survival and resilience for the first time. Members of the general Chesterfield and Jewish community were also in attendance.

 

Zimm told heartrending stories about her life in Poland during the rise of the Nazi regime. She spoke fondly of those who protected and cared for her as their own – as well as those who treated her kindly because they did not know she was Jewish. Zimm was born in Poland and became a housekeeper with a Polish couple right near the Warsaw Ghetto while hiding her Jewish identity.

 

As always, Halina Zimm left a lasting impression after her formal talk, sharing many hugs and some funny stories with the students, creating laughter where there had been tears.

 

The Federation JCRC was honored to co-sponsor the event with the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Department. We thank the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Department for the photos with the article.