Holocaust survivor Edith Gross visit Oceanside sixth graders

At 97 years old, Edith Gross still has vivid memories of the concentration camps she was sent to as a young girl during the Holocaust, and she shares her story with students who have learned about the Holocaust in school. Recently, she visited sixth graders at Schools Two and Four.

Gross was only 15 years old when she was captured by the Nazis near the end of WWII and sent to various concentration camps including Auschwitz. Because the allies were closing in, the Nazis frequently transported their prisoners to other camps, sometimes by forced marching. Mrs. Gross’ story is one of sorrow, loss, and unspeakable cruelty, but she survived and triumphed. Today she delights in her family which includes eight great-grandchildren.

After her talk, she answered questions, and offered a hug to every student. At School Four, she got an extra special hug from one of her great-grandchildren. Her closing message to students: “Don’t hate.”