NM: Why did you decide to go to the schools to tell your mother’s story? Don’t you think we have all heard Holocaust stories?
HH: Many, many people − especially children − only know Holocaust as a word. When I tell people the story of an 11-year-old girl who survived the Warsaw Ghetto, work camps, the death march and Auschwitz, it brings the reality of the Holocaust to all those who hear it. I am absolutely passionate about making sure that it is not forgotten.
NM: Is there some special point that you bring out in your talks?
HH: My mother’s story is a testament to the fact that a person can survive under the most horrendous conditions and can reach the highest goals in life, with a great
emunah (faith) in
HaShem.
NM: Did your mother speak to you about her experiences?
HH: My mother spoke of them all the time, and that is how we were able to publish this book. What’s interesting, is that my mother was soft spoken and sweet, and had you met her, you would never believe that she ever had a bad day in her life. My father, however, never spoke about it. He also went through the hells of the concentration camp, but he couldn’t speak about it.
NM: Where were you born?
HH: I was born in Munich, Germany. I was the first Jewish child born in that DP Camp. People held me up as a miracle. After all the destruction that had happened there, in the hell that was Germany, a Jewish baby was born. Perhaps that is another reason that I feel it is my mission to tell the story. An interesting footnote is that when I was two years old, I was in a parade to celebrate Israel’s independence. I was sitting atop a car holding an Israeli flag.
NM: Do you have any siblings?
HH: I have two younger brothers. One was born in Europe and the other in America, but I have taken it upon myself to tell my mother’s story.
NM: When did your mother die?
HH: My mother died a year-and-a-half ago. I was in Israel when someone asked me to tell my mother’s story. It was so well received, that I gave up my teaching position and started to tell my mother’s life story, and thereby, teach boys and girls everywhere the story of the Holocaust. After all, it is not too far off when there won’t be any living survivors left. We have to keep the stories alive.
NM: How does your family feel about what you are doing?
HH: I think my mother would be very proud of me. My children think it is wonderful and so does my husband.
NM: Tell us a little about your family.
HH: I am married to a wonderful man, Pinchas Hoffman, and we have four wonderful children and grandchildren. My youngest daughter and her family live in Israel. I maintain residences in New York, Jerusalem and Florida.
NM: How can you be reached if any of our readers would like to have you speak at their school or function?
Helen Hoffman is a pretty, petite woman with a ready smile. To look at her, no one would guess what a powerhouse she is.