Holocaust survivor speaks at luncheon

  • Published
  • By Maj. Paul Bailey
  • 882nd Training Support Squadron
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Michael Jacobs pulled up on the cuff of his left sleeve, an act he's performed hundreds, if not thousands of times.

Undoubtedly, the markings on his forearm took him back to a literal Hell on Earth he endured for five years when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. Images most people recall are from film footage shown on television.

Mr. Jacobs' images are forever imbedded in his mind.

He shared his hardships as a teenager with guests at the Sheppard Club April 17, and gave those in attendance an opportunity to ponder this year's Holocaust Remembrance Week theme - Children in Crisis: Voices from the Holocaust.

"Never give up," Mr. Jacobs told the group of more than 150. "Never forget."

The Holocaust survivor shared stories of perseverance in the face of death, even hiding injuries from his captors.

According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Website, about 11 million Jewish people were killed by the time the Holocaust ended in 1945.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Council, created by an act of Congress in 1980, was mandated to lead the nation in civic commemorations and to encourage appropriate remembrance observances throughout the country.

Holocaust Remembrance Week is a time that has been set aside for remembering the victims of the Holocaust and for reminding Americans of what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred and indifference reign, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Website.

Mr. Jacobs spent five years confined to both ghettos and concentration camps after the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. Since 1950 he has spent his time speaking to people about the Holocaust and his experiences.

"Hate only breeds more hate," Mr. Jacobs said. "I hold no contempt."

Mr. Jacobs is the founder of the Dallas Holocaust Memorial Center. It is dedicated to the memory of those killed in the Holocaust.

(Information from www.ushmm.org/remembrance was used for portions of this article)