Holocaust survivor gives talk to pupils at secondary school in Neasden
Susan Pollack gave her testimony to Crest Academy pupils. Pic credit: Adam Tiernan Thomas - Credit: Archant
Pupils at a Neasden secondary school listened in silence as a Holocaust survivor gave a searing first hand account of her life in the Nazi death camps.
Crest Academy pupils Hiba Jangahir, Abdullah Hajji, and Abdulkarim Abashes with Holocaust survivor Susan Pollack. Photo by Adam Tiernan Thomas - Credit: Archant
Susan Pollack, 85, spoke to pupils from the Crest Academy in Crest Road, as part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust.
The mother-of-three, who was born in Hungary and has six grandchildren, told pupils of her experiences at Auschwitz-Berkanau death camp where aged 14 she was separated from her mother who she later discovered had been immediately taken to the gas chambers.
Her father had disappeared two years earlier when called to attend a meeting on the welfare of the family, he was instead herded into a lorry and taken to a concentration camp.
Mrs Pollack worked at Auschwitz before being sent to Germany to work as slave labour for an armaments factory.
Susan Pollack, Holocaust survivor, came to talk to pupils from the Crest Academy in Crest Road. Pic credit: Adam Tiernan Thomas - Credit: Archant
Forced on a death march to Bergen-Belsen, she was finally liberated by the British Army in April 1945.
You may also want to watch:
Following the testimony was question and answer session with the pupils.
Heena Malik, a year 10 pupil, said: “I don’t think I have met anyone who has been through so much discrimination and suffering, and yet was so positive in re-building her life. It was an inspiration to listen to her speak”
Most Read
- 1 Residents anger as fourth gambling casino approved in Willesden street
- 2 Brent gang members convicted of shooting a man in Enfield
- 3 Tokyo Olympics: Brondesbury Park pupils wish swimmer Tom Dean luck
- 4 Petition against LTNs in Cricklewood exceeds 1,000 signatures
- 5 Traffic disruptions in Brent from July 26 to August 1
- 6 Fury as Brent's planning committees approves 'another high-rise' hotel in Wembley
- 7 Wembley: Fan robbed of watch after Euro 2020 final
- 8 Brent MP order out of Commons after accusing Prime Minister of lying 'over and over again'
- 9 Brent motorists hit with 2,633 blue badge penalty notices in 2020
- 10 Kilburn residents forced to flee homes after flash floods
Hawra Mosa, also year 10, added: “It was really touching to hear Susan speak. When she smiled at us so warmly, it felt very emotional knowing what she had been through”
Michael Taylor, history teacher at Crest said: “Susan really brought the subject of the Holocaust to life with her vivid stories and experiences of anti-Semitism before and during the war and her time spent at the camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen. It is vitally important we study these events closely, in order to better understand what human beings can be capable of.”
Karen Pollock MBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: “Susan’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and by hearing her testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.
“At the Trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”
