Ep 239: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Wendy Tepper on hmTv

Ep. 239: Ordinary Heroes with Wendy Tepper on hmTv

In this moving episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with Wendy Tepper of 3GNJ to explore the legacy of her grandfather, Holocaust survivor Oscar Kaugerman, and her mission to carry his story forward. Wendy shares how her close bond with her grandfather shaped her life, how she discovered his survival through five concentration camps, and why she now works with 3G chapters nationwide to help other grandchildren of survivors become witnesses.

Together, Bernie and Wendy reflect on resilience, memory, and the urgent responsibility of the third generation in a time of rising antisemitism. From classrooms in New Jersey to virtual talks across the country, Wendy’s work ensures that the voices of survivors live on—teaching tolerance, pride, and the power of testimony.

Ordinary Heroes on hmTv highlights the extraordinary courage of ordinary people whose stories inspire action, empathy, and hope.

Transcript

Ordinary Heroes – Ep. 239 with Wendy Tepper
Host: Bernie Furshpan | Guest: Wendy Tepper (3GNJ)

Bernie:
Hello and thank you for joining me today. I'm your host, Bernie Furshpan, and this is Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, recorded here at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

Today, we're honored to welcome Wendy Tepper, a passionate member of 3GNJ, the organization that empowers the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors to carry forward their grandparents' stories. At a time when living survivors are fewer and fewer, Wendy and her colleagues are stepping up to make sure that these memories never fade, transforming inherited history into education, advocacy, and a call for humanity.

Welcome, Wendy. How are you today?

Wendy:
Good, Bernie. How are you?

Bernie:
Very good. You’ve had a very personal journey. What’s your connection to your grandparents’ story that led you to get involved with 3GNY first, and now 3GNJ?

Wendy:
Thank you for that question. Growing up, my grandfather, Oscar Kaugerman, was a huge influence in my life. We actually lived in the same house, so I was very lucky—I’d wake up and he’d drive me to school, to Hebrew school, to dance. Every night we’d watch Jeopardy, and he knew all the answers. He was brilliant.

But he never wanted to talk about his childhood. If I asked, he would just say, “I don’t want to talk about it.” It wasn’t until I learned about the Holocaust in school that I asked my dad if our family was connected, and he told me yes—Grandpa was a Holocaust survivor. He survived five concentration camps.

I couldn’t believe that the same man who took me to Dunkin’ Donuts was the same person who survived all of that. Eventually, when I was graduating from Penn State to become a teacher, I asked him if he’d tell me his story. He finally agreed. I recorded it, and since then I’ve been sharing it with students. For over a decade now, I’ve been telling his story in schools, and it eventually led me to work with 3GNY and now 3GNJ.

Bernie:
Because he told his story to you, you became a witness—and now you share it with others. Could you summarize his story for us?

Wendy:
Of course. My grandfather, Oscar, grew up in Bedzin, Poland. His parents owned a grocery store, and he was the oldest of four boys. They were a normal family until the Nazis invaded.

He was taken alone to five concentration camps, including Buchenwald. He endured horrible things—beatings, starvation, and once, when he wasn’t walking fast enough, they broke his arm. He was sent to the infirmary, where by luck a Polish doctor who had known his family hid him under a bed for a week, feeding him milk and rice. That act of kindness helped save his life later when he survived a train transport where only 11 out of 5,000 prisoners lived.

After the war, he returned to Poland and discovered his entire family had been murdered. At 18, he was completely alone. He went to Italy, played professional soccer for Inter Milan, and eventually came to Brooklyn where he reunited with a childhood friend he thought had died. His story is one of tragedy, resilience, and hope.

Bernie:
What a story of resilience. My father too survived by a string of luck. Without their courage and valor, we wouldn’t be here. God bless them. I’m sure you miss your grandfather.

Wendy:
Yes, he passed away 10 years ago at age 90. I think about him every day. My kids, who never met him, talk about Grandpa Oscar all the time. He’s still a big presence in our family.

Bernie:
The survivors we lost left us with powerful lessons—about tolerance, about resilience, about kindness. That’s the work we carry on here at HMTC. And you’re doing the same with 3G. Tell me, how is the movement growing?

Wendy:
3GNY is the flagship chapter, started about 20 years ago. Since then, chapters have spread—Miami, Philly, Austin, Minnesota, and of course, New Jersey. We’re also working with USC Shoah Foundation’s Living Links to help train speakers and expand chapters.

The goal is simple: there are an estimated million 3Gs alive today. We want to reach them, help them learn their grandparents’ stories, and encourage them to share those stories in schools. It’s incredibly powerful when students hear the human side of history.

Bernie:
Do you collaborate with descendants of other genocides?

Wendy:
We focus mainly on Holocaust survivor stories, because that’s our expertise—we’re witnesses to our grandparents. But we do partner with organizations like Facing History and Ourselves who teach about broader histories of genocide. Our role is to keep the human testimony alive and personal.

Bernie:
You were a teacher, but you’ve shifted into this work full-time now. What prompted that?

Wendy:
I taught elementary school for 12 years. But when antisemitic incidents occurred in my district, I wasn’t supported in addressing them. I felt I could do more outside of the classroom. Last year alone, I spoke to over 3,600 students. It confirmed that this was the right path.

Bernie:
Since October 7th, antisemitism has risen sharply. How have you had to pivot?

Wendy:
Personally, it’s been terrifying. For years we believed “never again,” yet now antisemitism is visible everywhere. At the same time, it’s made me prouder to be Jewish, to wear my Star of David openly, and to teach my children the beauty of our heritage.

As an organization, we’ve been called into schools after antisemitic incidents. We’ve also been training teachers on the history of antisemitism and on using testimony in classrooms. It’s expanded our mission from just talking to students to also preparing educators.

Bernie:
Exactly. The challenge is to help young people cut through disinformation and think critically. Where do you see the future for our young people?

Wendy:
Pride. We need to teach the next generation to be proud, to celebrate community, and to spread positivity. My five-year-old son once told me he wanted to marry a girl from camp—and then added, “Don’t worry, Mommy, she’s Jewish.” Even at that age, he sees the value of carrying identity forward. That pride and unity is what we need.

Bernie:
Beautiful. You check all the boxes of what makes an extraordinary hero. Thank you for sharing your story and for the incredible work you’re doing with 3GNJ and 3GNY.

Wendy:
Thank you, Bernie. And if anyone listening knows a school that could benefit, please visit 3gny.org. There’s a “Request a Speaker” tab. We speak for free, and it’s an amazing way to bring history to life.

Bernie:
Yes—especially in New Jersey and New York. Visit HMTC, connect with organizations like 3GNJ, and be part of carrying memory into the future. Together, we can ensure the courage of survivors and the voices of the next generations continue to light the way.

I’m your host, Bernie Furshpan, and this has been Ordinary Heroes on hmTv. Until next time.