The Power of Jewish Joy

Shawna Wexler shares how being the granddaughter of four Holocaust survivors shapes her identity and approach to Jewish life today. While her grandfather Maurice struggled to connect emotionally with his children after the war, she experienced a softer, more nurturing version of him as a grandchild. Like many third-generation survivors, this generational distance allowed Shauna to receive their stories differently than her parents, who grew up amid the immediate aftermath of trauma. 

In the wake of rising antisemitism and the October 7th attack on Israel, Shawna reflects on the importance of raising proud Jewish children through strong community and joyful traditions. Her story demonstrates how Holocaust survivors' legacy lives on through their grandchildren, who transform inherited trauma into strength while ensuring these crucial stories are never forgotten.

Shawna shares the story of her grandfather, Maurice Kornberg, who was from a thriving family in Paris, France when the Nazis invaded here.