International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed Wednesday. It’s a day every year the world acknowledges the horrors of the Holocaust during World War II.
During the pandemic, education of the Holocaust has shifted to the internet.
Holocaust survivors in Southwest Florida joined together for a virtual event hosted by Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center in North Naples to never forget what happened to them and millions of others — both the living and the dead.
“We have a tendency to look back and forget what was done before,” survivor Rob Nossen said. “We have short memories. Let’s put it that way.”
See the full virtual event below:
Nossen remembers what he experienced, and it’s why he promises he’ll never forget. His mission is to keep learning.
“It drives me to teach more, to continue to do this,” Nossen said.
Across town from another computer screen, survivor Rosette Gerbosi joined the event. She also remembers.
“I just want to show you my parent’s picture,” Gerbosi said. “I don’t know if you’ve seen this before. That’s the last picture we took together.”
Like Nossen, Gerbosi shares her family’s story at schools and at the museum in North Naples virtually, for now.
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Nossen remembered when a friend of hers share her Holocaust survival story.
“The little boy came over to her and said, “My father said it never happened,” Nossen recalled.
That’s why during the virtual event the people who have known the most listen and learn the most too.
“Of tolerance and fighting bigotry,” Gerbosi said.
“To remember and pass it onto your children,” Nossen said. “How easy this can happen.”