Holocaust survivor shares story of hope with Bahamians
By Travis Cartwright-Carroll
Guardian Staff Reporter
travis@nasguard.com
Nassau, The Bahamas
Holocaust survivor Rena Finder shared her powerful story of pain and hope with hundreds of Bahamians on Thursday night.
“Life was hell,” Finder told the crowd.
Finder was speaking of her experiences in Nazi occupied Poland during World War II. She was only 10 when her hometown of Kracow was invaded.
Finder is one of the last Holocaust survivors who was employed by German industrialist Oskar Schindler.
Schindler saved nearly 1,200 Jews from the clutches of Nazi concentration camps by employing as many Jews as he could in his factory.
His story was turned into a book, “Schindler’s Ark”, and then into a movie in 1993, titled “Schindler’s List”.
Finder spoke after a public screening of “Schindler’s List” at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.
She moved to the Untied States and since the 1970s she has spread her message of hope across the world.
“He treated us like humans,” Finder said.
“It was like being liberated, like being put in the hands of an angel. We knew from the very beginning that Oskar Schindler would take care of us.”
She continued, “Oskar Schindler gave us life, gave me a chance to grow up, to get married to have children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild.”
Finder’s story attracted many Bahamians, including College of The Bahamas (COB) professors Dr. Nicolette Bethel and Jessica Minnis to name a few.
Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes also gave remarks.
“It is important that we are educated about the Holocaust and that we are never allowed to forget,” he said.
Sir Arthur added that it is important also that humankind never forget all the other atrocities and genocides that have taken place.
Finder said it is important to her and for those who survived the Holocaust how much difference young people can make.
“The worst crime is indifference,” she said. “The worst crime is to be a bystander.”
Sponsors of the event included Aetos Holdings Ltd, Atlantis, Banque Privee Edmond de Rothschild Ltd., Bank of The Bahamas (BOB), Colina Insurance, Diane Phillips and Associates (DP&A) and ICD Utilities.
Mar 24, 2012
