
If You Heard What I Heard
If You Heard What I Heard is a nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting the stories of the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, the last generation to hear survivor stories firsthand. We create modern Holocaust media that humanizes the history of the Holocaust, drives empathy, and inspires action to stand up to antisemitism in all forms. Listen to the powerful stories, and what their survival and resilience means for all of us today.
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If you heard what I heard, you would never forget, and you would do everything possible to make sure what happened to our grandparents and their families never happens again.
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If You Heard What I Heard
If You Heard What Ari Heard
Ari shares the story of his grandfather, Joseph Sarna, who was the oldest of six boys, born to a religious family in Dzialoszyce, Poland. Joseph was born with a leg deformity, and the Polish doctors told Joseph’s parents to amputate. His parents went to the Chief Rabbi, who told them if it doesn’t hurt when he walks, to leave it alone, which ultimately saved Joseph’s life during the way. Ari shares how despite his disability, Joseph’s strength of character and grit got him through horrific conditions during the Holocaust. Ari shares Joseph’s story of survival from Plaszow Concentration Camp, Oscar Schindler’s factory, narrowly escaping death at Auschwitz, and brutal working conditions at Mauthausen. He reconnected with the woman who would become his wife, in Deggenedorf Displaced Person’s Camp, after the war. Joseph survived the Holocaust through a series of miracles, and went on to become a success - both in business and in life, someone who was adored by his family and greatly respected by his community.
If you heard what Ari heard, you would never forget.
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