TrailBLAZER: Noemie Lopian on Remembering the Past, and Shaping the Future

Guest

Noemie Lopian, Holocaust Educator and daughter of holocaust survivors Dr Ernst Israel Bornstein and Renee Bornstein.

Summary

In this episode of TrailblazerPod, Faye speaks with Holocaust educator Naomi Lopien, who shares her journey of discovering her father's Holocaust experiences and her commitment to Holocaust education. Naomi discusses her childhood, the impact of her father's experiences, and the lessons of kindness and tolerance she learned from her parents. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in preserving history and combating Holocaust denial, while also reflecting on her mission to educate future generations about the Holocaust.

Takeaways

• Naomi's father was a Holocaust survivor.

• The book 'The Long Night' is a unique and powerful memoir.

• Naomi's childhood was marked by a sense of hiding her Jewish identity.

• Her father's kindness towards a German woman reflects his character.

• Naomi's mother also had a Holocaust story that remained untold for years.

• The process of discovering her father's past began at age 36.

• Education is crucial in combating Holocaust denial.

• Storytelling serves as a means of healing and remembrance.

• Naomi feels a responsibility to share her family's stories.

• Being a trailblazer means sharing knowledge for the good of humanity.

Sound Bites

• "This book really feels like I'm reading your father's diary."

• "He had tears rolling down his eyes."

• "You can never unsee or unhear what you've seen or heard."

• "I feel burdened by my own burden."

• "Each of us are in the image of Hashem."

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Naomi Lopien and Her Journey

02:54Childhood and the Impact of Judaism

05:55The Silence of Holocaust Survivors

09:05The Duality of Identity

11:51Lessons of Kindness and Tolerance

14:59Unveiling Family Stories

17:48The Process of Discovery

21:11The Importance of Education

24:08The Role of Storytelling in Healing

26:54Confronting Holocaust Denial

30:00The Mission of Holocaust Education

33:00Being a Trailblazer

Watch the full episode: Spotify and YouTube

Noemie translated her father's memoirs of surviving seven camps in the holocaust into the book 'The Long Night'

Check out Noemie's holocaust education platform: Holocaustmatters.org

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