Holocaust Survivor: Vera Gara Essay Example

of how a woman can stay string despite circumstances. Her life story has encouraged women everywhere to fight for change and to be bold.

Vera's well-spoken address was captivating; not once did she stumble or tremble in her words. Her account of Kristalnacht was particularly interesting. On November 9, 1938, the Nazi government sanctioned reprisal against the Jews in Germany. Synagogues were ravaged and burned, Jewish shops were trashed, and Jews were beaten, raped, arrested, and murdered. Police and firefighters, supposed citizen protectors, stood by as synagogues were destroyed by the flames and innocent Jews were beaten, only taking action to prevent the spread of fire to non-Jewish owned property.

It was a terrible night in this century's history and Gara witnessed it. As she retold the disturbing events of that night, a distinguishable wave of sadness fell upon the audience. It was inspiring to hear a survivor speak without weakness. Vera's story struck a chord with me; my great grandmother, Ada Glatter, is also a holocaust survivor. However, difference between Vera and my great grandmother is that my great grandmother has never discussed that episode in her life, and she never will.

The holocaust has twisted my great grandmother into a bitter human being.It was an experience that she truly cannot forget and she is hurting others because she still lives in fear. Vera's controlled and seemingly painless account was inspiring, but at the same time perplexing because of the experience with my great grandmother who can not communicate with such ease about the event. Vera should be commended for her willingness to educate others on the truth of the war. Vera, a survivor of the

war, is responsible for continuing to educate young adults about her story because it is this generation of the young who must keep this story alive.Vera revealed that it is I, a fellow Jew, who must keep the holocaust living, or it may one day be buried beneath the surface of our busy culture, never to be remembered.

Despite her detailed story, Vera did not address the story of Hitler's Private Museum. After listening to Vera I was inspired to research more on the story of her family. I learned that Vera omitted the recent part in her life in which she traced the fate of her father during his arrest in 1938. Her husband, George, searched the Internet for information about her father, Moritz Pick.

George eventually received twenty pages that provided a record of the persecution and robbery of Vera's family. A list included everything taken from the Pick household from carpets to paintings to silverware. Among fifty paintings listed one that stood out, The Scythe Sharpener, by Egger-Lienz. While Vera knew that everything else was gone she hoped that this painting could be traced and found. The Scythe Sharpener was found as a part of the Leopold collection, in Austria.

The courts, in Austria, now have to decide if the painting once owned by Moritz Pick is the same one that is now part of the Leopold Collection.So far, the courts have ruled that there is not enough evidence to make a clear decision, and therefore the claims suit has been passed to a higher court. The fact that Vera omitted this story is shocking and confusing; it is another great story of

strength and power of how she is rightfully reclaiming her past. Upon reflecting on Vera's speech, there are numerous connections between the readings and the lectures in relation to her speech. The first connection is on the power of language, which was studied in lecture number 7.Language enables people to express emotions, ideas, and experiences.

People use language to give voice to their experiences and for those who have access to language have access to express them. Vera Gara showed her listeners that she has the ability to express herself and her experiences. She used her language to educate others on her experiences and how to promote change in the world and in yourself. "You lose more if you're quiet. You're invisible and you have no power," said Audre Lorde, an American writer and feminist.Vera Gara understood the consequences of not speaking her thoughts and ideas.

She has acquired the strength and power to do and say what she pleases. The power of language has directed her into this great course of life, which has guided her ever since the end of the war. Vera expressed that God was the one who helped her speak about her story. She knew she had to educate others on what happened during the war, but she needed direction. God was the one true force that helped direct her to strength, power, and honour.That she continues to believe in God is commendable as she would probably have not been as successful as she has become.

When the war ended she asked her mother if she still believed in G-d and she replied, "no. " Vera was saddened with her

mother's response. Even at a small age Vera was still bright enough to believe in what she wanted, which was G-d. Another connection between the readings, lectures, and Vera's story is the aim of feminism and the numerous organizations that Vera has joined in order to help others seek refuge and peace.As learned in class, the aim of feminism is to devise strategies of social transformation to promote women's emancipation. Vera Gara, although not a feminist, has achieved exactly that.

She has joined many organizations such as, the B'nai Brith Woman Organization, which honours the concept of 'tikkun olam,' which in Hebrew means repairing the world through education, advocacy, and action. It is a community of women joining hands, hearts, and minds to break the cycle of family violence around the world.Vera said, "I was told by many that I should slow down but I don't know how, I love what I am doing. " Vera has not slowed down yet.

She also belongs to the Christina Jewish Dialogue and to the Woman's Na'Amat organization that helps abused women in Israel seek peace and refuge. It is undoubtedly evident that she has done whatever she could to help others. She took her suffering and her pain and used it to help and support others who have had similar experiences. There is also a connection present between the feminist practice and Vera's ability to achieve it.The feminist practice consists of putting one's ideas of the world into change.

Vera's ideas of the world are to promote happiness and be an aid for those in need. By joining numerous organizations she has executed change. By speaking about

her holocaust experience and educating people on it, she has indeed accomplished change. Vera has also executed change with the honour of many dignitaries who promote her cause. Radical feminists say that the workplace can never really be equal because men run them. Radical feminists desire to create their own institutions.

The criticism towards this theory is that executing change is highly unlikely, as you need to work from within the system. In relation to Vera, she has gained admittance into this system and is able to execute change by reason of that. Her story demonstrates the possibility to bring change, even as women. Vera, being a part of a patriarchal society, has gained the respect of many honourable individuals, who allow her to run special events and organizations that aid in people's suffering. Vera is a true inspiration to women everywhere. Women have much to learn about strength from her experiences.

Vera aims not only to educate people about her story, but she also wants to teach people how to be fearless and strong in obtaining their goals they want. After Vera finished speaking I approached her and told her how moved I was by her story. We discussed the connection we have as we are both Jewish and how my great grandmother is also a survivor. She told me she was touched to see a Jewish person come out and listen to another Jewish person's story, as the majority of the audience was obligated to attend for a religion's course.

Vera and I exchanged e-mails and have been in touch. I am grateful to have met such a wonderful person.