by Jerry Burke
A few weeks ago, Friedman visited West Hempstead Middle School to explain the dark period in history which he experienced first hand. The year was 1939, and Friedman, then in his teens, lived in Krakow, Poland. That year, the Nazis invaded his village. In attempt to save the rest of his family, he and his father volunteered to go to a Nazi labor camp with the reassurance the family's lives would be spared.
The Nazis failed to keep their promise, and the same day he left for the camp, the entire family, including his mother and younger brother, were slaughtered.
On twelve previous occasions, Friedman has visited the middle school to vividly explain a time not easily understood by today's students. Friedman's heartfelt personal account of the Holocaust has brought alive what the students and teachers have only read in textbooks.
At his last visit, students presented him with an album of personal letters of how his stories have affected them. Guidance counselor Ilene Lipstein also gave Friedman a collage of photos she took during her recent travels to Krakow. Unfortunately for the school, it may be his last visit, as he plans to retire to Florida in the upcoming year.
At last week's Board of Education Business meeting, Friedman was presented with a certificate recognizing the importance of his visits to the students. He graciously accepted, thanking the community for giving him the chance to share his experiences.
