Holocaust Survivor To Share

Story Of Hatred And Hope

DANBURY — Thirteen-year-old David Faber witnessed the brutal murders of his family — his parents, five of his six sisters, and his older brother Romek — at the hands of the Nazi soldiers in his native Poland during World War II. As he watched from his hiding place, he promised himself that he would survive — no matter how difficult that became — so he could tell the world about the atrocities committed against his family and countless others as a result of hatred.

At 7 pm on Thursday, September 30, Mr Faber will keep that promise by sharing his story in Warner Hall on the Western Connecticut State University midtown campus, 181 White Street. Copies of his book, Because of Romek: A Holocaust Survivor’s Memoir, will be available for purchase at the discounted price of $12, and a book signing will follow Mr Faber’s presentation. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Co-sponsored by a partnership between the WestConn School of Professional Studies and Bethel Public Schools, Mr Faber’s 90-minute presentation will include a retelling of his family’s story, his own experiences in eight Nazi concentration camps from 1939 to 1945, and his views on hatred as a cause for such atrocities. The audience also will be able to participate in a question-and-answer session.

“This is what he does — it’s what he lives for,” said Anna Ennis, Mr Faber’s granddaughter, from her San Diego home. “For 15 years, he’s traveled the country speaking at schools, colleges, civil and religious organizations for free, in order to make the public aware of the horrors of the Holocaust.”

Mr Faber has been to the Danbury area before. He spoke at Bethel High school four years ago. Afterward, he sold and signed all 500 copies of his book that he had brought with him. His publisher had to rush an addition shipment to Bethel in order to meet the unprecedented demand.

“It is so important for our kids to be exposed to his story,” said Bethel High School Principal Alan Chmiel, who is now a close friend of Mr Faber. “He’s absolutely captivating, and he makes you feel like you’re walking in his shoes as he describes what he went through. When he’s done speaking, you can hear a pin drop. It takes a few minutes before anybody can even speak or move because of what they’ve heard.”

Mr Chmiel decided to bring Mr Faber back to the area, this time to speak not only to high school and middle school students, but also to the entire community. He feels it is so important to share Mr Faber’s message that he has worked with several other local school districts and WestConn to set up speaking engagements for Mr Faber all over Danbury during his visit to the area in late September.

For more information, call the School of Professional Studies at 837-8576 or the WestConn Office of Public Relations at 837-8486.