Over the years, Ben and the ZACHOR team have received an overwhelmingly positive response to Ben’s speaking engagements, programs, outreach and online education. The amount of letters received over the years are countless from students, teachers, history enthusiasts, holocaust survivors, museums etc…
We / Ben reads every single one. Please keep them coming.
Here are just a few.
Dear Ben,
I recently finished reading your book which my son-in-law highly suggested I do. I can't say enough good things about it. It teaches so many life lessons as well as giving historical information. I am a psychotherapist & have worked with many clients who have gotten stuck in their tragic past. I feel your book can serve as an example of how to recover & thrive from the most horrific of experiences. Many people including myself don't like to look & acknowledge terrible things that are going on because as you said it is often more tolerable to believe the lie than the horrific truth. I hope everyone reads your book and learns the many lessons your book teaches but probably the most important one for me is that we need to be aware and prevent annihilation of not only the Jewish people people but all people because we all have something to contribute to the world. I feel we are again in scary times & I am so glad we have Israel who is aware & prepared to take action if need be. God I hope we can learn from history & don't repeat prior mistakes. So I hope your book awakes all of us especially those who have the power to do what is right.
Thank you for writing this inspiring book & sharing your experiences with us.
With highest regards,
Honie
Among the myriad of Holocaust autobiographies currently available, Living a Life that Matters by Ben Lesser is especially well suited to K-12 age pupils for several reasons. First, like many such autobiographies it tells an important and compelling life story. Second, it includes enough general historical material that the reader can consider Lesser’s experiences in an appropriate historical context without outside research., Third, unlike many Holocaust autobiographies, Lesser writes prose in a conversational tone that neither puts off young readers with strident overtones nor sends them scampering to a dictionary. It is appropriate for adults as well, but it is especially useful for introducing middle and high school pupils to Holocaust studies.
Dr. Nancy E,. Rupprecht
Chair, MTSU Holocaust Studies Program
Words cannot express how blessed I am, to have had the chance to listen to your stories, and all the Pain you have endured. You are a very strong man Ben, and I am truly honored to have been able to meet you. Your are living proof that we can all overcome any obstacles that are thrown in our way. You show us that if we do set goals and have strong determination we can do anything that we work hard for. I would like to thank you for opening up my eyes to many many important things. You, Ben lesser are a true warrior, and I am truly blessed to have met you.
Dlootia Wedzin
Dear Mr. Lesser,
I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to hear you speak today. I am a student at the Meadows School and just wanted to e-mail you my most sincere and heartfelt thank you. As a fighter against injustice in my community, I was moved and touched by your story, not simply because it was personal and tragic, but more so because of your wisdom. You taught me something today that I shall never forget and that is to be thankful and have the ability to forgive. It is easy for people in this day and age to take everything for granted but you are living proof of someone who is constantly aware of the blessings around them. I, at times, can even take my family for granted. Yet, after your beautiful speech all I wanted to do was hug and kiss them and voice my love for them. You have a way about you that is gentle and for you to have the ability to still have a strong, unshakable faith and a love for humankind is a true testament of the kind of man that you are. You are a beacon for what I want to become and the injustice and cruelty you underwent is something I will always fight against. I hope you know that there is hope in the young people of my generation who will keep your story alive. I make a personal vow to you to stop any type of discrimination that comes across me in my lifetime. You said that at the end of every speech your audience wishes for something tangible, and even though I took three of the pins for safe keeping it was your story and your empowering presence that resounds in me to be the most tangible. Thank you for sharing your life with me and allowing me to be apart of your memories.
Warmest Regards,
Michelle Merica
Dear Mr. Lesser,
My son Justin met you today visiting the memorial at Temple Beth Sholom with Mrs. Rowell's class from The Meadows School. Though we are Jewish and the horrific holocaust stories are certainly not new to him, I must say he came home a bit changed today.He shared your "powerfully moving" story with us and expressed how fortunate he felt to have been able to hear you speak.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to applaud your strength and tell you how very grateful I am that you have chosen to spend these years of your life making sure no one forgets. Justin said one of your greatest fears is that the world will get amnesia. I must say that for every person you move as much as you did my son, they will make sure the world never forgets!
Wishing you health and happiness always.
Sincerely,
Adrienne Gutzwa
Dear Ben Lesser,
Thank you so much for speaking to my school in Spokane. My class has been studying the Holocaust for several weeks, but it never seemed truly real until you came and told your story.
I can hardly understand how difficult it must be for you to speak, bringing back old memories, but I must tell you how much it impacted me. I cannot believe what human beings did during that time. One part of your speech that I will not forget is what you said about the Nazi smashing your neighbor’s newborn into the wall.
I hope an event like the Holocaust never happens again, but that is what everyone says. It may just be human nature: hatred and cruelty, but I like to think of humans as essentially good. If enough people remember the stories of genocide survivors, we could avoid future genocides. I, for one, will do my best to speak out in the face of injustice.
Your speech inspired me. I realized that I have had a very fortunate childhood, so that much more is expected of me. I plan to go to college and get my masters or a PhD. My plans for the future are not finalized yet, but I know that I will try my hardest in everything I do because I am a lucky one.
I will never forget the Holocaust and I will treasure my pin forever. Whenever I look at it, I remember you and the abominations that occurred in Germany. Thank you so much for taking the time to speak and for reminding me not to forget.
Sincerely,
Katijene S.
Mr. Lesser,
My name is Evan. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada as well. I recently watched the PBS special on Remembering the Holocaust and found it to be an informative piece on the horrors of that time period. I have a Jewish backround and lots of family that lived in Germany during that time that were killed as well in the Holocaust. Luckily my great grandparents made it through Ellis Island and were not harmed, but for the millions that died it really astonishes me at how cruel people can be. I can't imagine how it was for you to see all of those deathly horrors taking place in front of your eyes. Honestly I admire you for being able to keep telling the story to inform those who do not know, it is a very powerful thing to do. I am deeply sorry about what was done to your family. I am currently in High School, and despite some people that may be anti-semitic at my school I do honor my Jewish backround openly. I thank you for taking time to read my email to you. I'm sure that most of what happened is very hard to think of years later, but thank you for telling your story. I am deeply appreciative that I was able to hear it and learn more.
Thank You,
-Evan
I am Gina Klonoff, former president of the Speakers Bureau of the Holocaust Survivors Group of Southern Nevada. For more than a decade it was my responsibility to recruit my fellow members to appear before civic, religious, social or educational groups to give their eye witness accounts of what they suffered. Most of them checked the “no” box in the polling questionnaire I distributed. When I asked individuals for the reason they refused to speak, I was usually told “Oh, no. I couldn’t talk about that. I’ve never talked about that. I haven’t even told my children what happened to me, it was such a long time ago.”
Nevertheless, a small core of willing speakers evolved from our growing membership. Ben Lesser, a survivor from Poland, was among the earliest ones. After the reports I received from his audiences, as well as his own reaction, I realized that in him I had launched not only an informative reporter, but also an eloquent oratory talent which would have done justice to the ancient Cicero. Again and again he told his story with such powerful details and eloquence, that afterward audiences refused to leave, but stayed on to ask questions. His host of “thank you letters” from students and adult audiences alike would fill suitcases. The intense Interest also made him realize how much the world needed this information, and how much they valued it.
Even though Ben Lesser was naturally gratified by his success, he believed that to engrave the knowledge of this Jewish catastrophe more deeply and permanently in the minds and hearts of his audiences, something “tangible” was needed.
To that effect, Ben Lesser conceived the idea of the “Zachor Holocaust Remembrance Pin”. It is a small gold pin which could be worn on a lapel, carried in a pocket, lie on a shelf and yet always serve as a reminder of the 20th Century Holocaust unleashed upon six million Jews because of their religion. It would always say “Zachor” in Hebrew, and mean “REMEMBER”.
As a Holocaust survivor, I myself support him whole heartedly in his endeavor. I hope that more and more people will also want to support his goal, so that the six million innocent Jewish men, women and children, viciously murdered, will not have died in vain, and that the pin becomes a potent warning against the evil and hatred which might yet reappear long after no eye witnesses are left to warn the world with their reports.
Gina Klonoff
President
Holocaust Survivors Group
Of Southern Nevada
I just wanted to say "Thank You" again for coming and speaking to my students at Southwest Behavior Program. I truly feel that your message resonates with them. I have worn the pin a few times and see it almost everyday in my jewelry box. I just have to hold it and touch it and your story stays with me. With the pin, I feel as I can remember every word, every part, every picture. It is almost as if all of those stories, of everyone who was murdered, are held within that tiny pin, begging to be told. It is a constant reminder of many conflicting things in life and in the Holocaust such as murder and new life, despair and hope, defeat and triumph and even the Holocaust, with all the horror there was still some good done. There were those who tried to help and those that survived, how many of them did such wonderful things with their lives. So although the pin makes me feel a little sad it also gives me hope and a sense of duty to do everything I can to insure that genocide stops and to help everyone remember what happened.
Thank you again and I hope that we can hear your story again next year.
Tiffany Dawn Valencia
Southwest Behavioral Program
Dear Ben Lesser,
I wanted to reiterate my extreme gratitude for your wonderful words and tremendous presentation. This will be a day I remember as long as my aging mind permits. You are doing, truly, a heroic thing by enlightening people of the atrocities and genocide that took place against the Jewish people. I can only imagine how hard it must be to recollect all the terrible things you saw and went through. To surface those memories in the hope of educating younger generations is something to be admired by all. I only hope I can go through my life with as much strength, honor, poise, and nobility you have went through your own life with.
I will tell my kids of this day and your story with complete remembrance or Zachor. I will make sure they understand the strength of you as well as the many others who endured the same thing. The only thing I regret is not getting a picture with you. Because when I tell my kids of this, I would love to be able to take out a picture, point and say, "This is what a hero looks like kids. Not only because of what he endured but because of the strength he exhibits in educating others of those endurance's".
Thank you again for teaching and enlightening me more than any textbook, google search, or professor could ever possibly come close to. I will never forget and always cherish this day and your words.
Sincerely and always grateful,
C. Abrahamson
Dear Mr. Lesser,
Thank you so much for coming out to Northwest Career And Technical Acadamy today. I am an 11th grade student from NWCTA that heard the start of your story thus afternoon. I just want to say thank you. I have seen at least 5 or 6 Holocaust survivors so far and I plan to see as many a I can during my life. Yet, out of every survivor I have seen, you were the one that put everything into the best perspective for me. I would have much rather have sit down for 2 or so more hours and listened to your whole story then moved on in the event. I am sorry the organizers of the event only gave you an hour. During that hour though, I felt I could relive as much of your pain as possible, as I know I will never feel the full weight of it. I will pass your story in particular down for as many generations as I'm alive and greatly encourage my future children and grandchildren to do the same. So again Mr. Lesser thank you very much for reliving your expeirence again in order to share it with us students.
I will never forget.
Sincerely,
Chelsey,
Engineering Student
Mr. Ben Lesser,
You are a legend; I promise you story will always be known. I sincerely thank you for sharing the darkest times of your life, you’ve shown me there is hope for the world yet.
“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”
Stay strong,
Emma G.
10th grade
"THEY WERE SO TOUCHED BY YOUR STORY AND EXPERIENCES OF THE HOLOCAUST, it affected them deeply. They continue to wear the pins that you gave them daily and are proud to share your story with all who inquire about the of the pins.
P. Van Leeuwun
St. Francis de Sales School
YOUR FOUNDATION WILL ENSURE THAT THE TRAGEDIES OF THE HOLOCAUST WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
Los Angeles March of the Living Delegation 2010
Hello Mr. Lesser -
I cant tell you in words the effect you and your story had on the kids at my school. i sincerely apologize for taking so long to get back to you to tell you their progress, but part of me wanted to wait a while to see the full effects. Since you have spoken to the kids at Miley, there have been almost no anti-jewish remarks. Many of the kids still have their pins on their backpacks, and when I ask the kids about the Holocaust, they all know what it is. You have been an inspiration and I cant thank you enough.
The kids are planning a peace week at the school to start next monday. We are going to have a Peace Festival on wednsday the 23 at 11am. The kids wanted to honor you. I know its short notice, but it would be great if you could come. If you are unavailable I understand. Please let me know either way, and if I may have your address, I would love to send you the award if you are unable to make it.
Thank you again for being the inspiration and voice that teh students of Miley needed to hear.
Tia. T
Miley Achievement Center
My name is Mike. You came to speak to a few classes about 5 years ago at A-tech, mine included, about your life. I accidentally discovered your website a little bit ago and wanted to write you a message as I don't believe that I ever properly thanked you.
Your story has stuck with me the past 5-6 years and I remember almost everything you've said during your time with me and my class.I remember the day I came home from hearing your story and telling it, best I could, to my grandparents, uncle and parents. I'll never forget what you've been through. You're a true hero, going through so much then having the strength to tell your story. Looking back, the hour or two that I spent with you along with my class was the most impactful and educational time I've ever had. I wanted to give you my thanks for sharing your story with me 5 years ago and I wish there was someway that I could express my gratitude in more than words. The story of your life will always stay with me and I can only hope to become a person with half the amount of courage and strength that you have. Thank you so much for your story, it is one I will pass on and one in which I will never forget.
Sincerely,
M Bettinardi
Dear Mr. Lesser,
Here are the responses my students wrote after hearing your story.
I can not begin to thank you enough for giving my students the gift of hearing your testimony. In all of my years of teaching, and they have been quite a few (17 in fact) I have never seen a single event have such a tremendous impact on a group of students. I have been teaching about the Holocaust every year in some capacity but this is the first year students have heard from a Holocaust survivor. Now that I see the kind of impact and understanding students have acquired from listening to you, I realize that I should have had you come in and talk to my students every year. You are, by far, the best Holocaust speaker I have ever heard. You went through everything in the Holocaust that I discuss with my students; You present it in such a clear and descriptive manner that my students can picture your story in their heads. You also speak with such passion about "never again" that my students feel the importance of that responsibility and take it very seriously. You have been a hero all of your life ... through your actions during the Holocaust, through your perseverance and success in the U.S., and now through your retelling of your story to future generations. You truly are an inspiration. I would love to make your visit to my school an annual event.
Thank you again,
J. Weinstein,
Teacher, World Geography
Hyde Park Middle School
Mr. Lesser,
I can not begin to share my gratitude for the time you shared with us earlier in the week. My name is Giovanni, the one who escorted you to the library, and was very happy to do so. From right there, I could tell you were a very kind soul, and patient at that, dealing with bad traffic directions. This is something I will carry me for the rest of my life and truly impact humanity, as you and your fellows share your message. God needed a witness-Furthermore, he needed to show light on these acts, in hopes our world will change for the better.
There are several things that truly stuck with me as I listened to the words come from your mouth, recreating imagery like a painter throws himself on the canvas. I cannot fathom the pure atrocities you must have witnessed, rather, lived through. But you managed only to make the best of your circumstances. You didn't let the controlling attempts of others take over your life. Instead, you fought to survive. And after you were liberated, you fought out into the world. Most people would have directly quit right then and there, deeming their life useless and pitying themselves. But not you sir.Your words stuck with me; "This is America! I believe that hard work, studying, will allow you to get where you want. This allows for opportunities, and you can do what you want to do."
It resembled one life game of poker. You may have not been given the best cards, but you held on to them., and raised your opponent, only to win the pot.
The other major impact you made on me was understanding the value of humility, and compassion. I left that discussion thinking more as a man. When we went on with our day, I did not hesitate at all to share my love with those around me of whom I care for. To think ... all you did was fight, remaining strong for your family. Taking the lashes for your uncle, completely willingly, was a story not only of valor, but of showing the true value of the human heart. It inspired me to really know what a man was, and that was it, acting strongly for his family. I did not hesitate all day to tell family and dear friends I loved them, knowing any moment could be the last opportunity to do so. I called my grandmother right before I went to sleep. Alarmed, yet happily surprised, I shared with her the value of your words, and harnessing every opportunity to make life work to its fullest. Now whenever my sister and I may argue, or I may disagree with my mother, and just turn around and kiss her on the head. Those are little petty things, that mean nothing in a grander scheme.
The Holocaust and the monstrous people of it really shined light to a problem existing in humanity today. As awful as it was, it shone a light on the awful tendencies that do exist in man. It truly validated my thinking in the way that our interactions with each other are coming from the wrong places. Bullying and control is an awful thing-I know call people out, tell them of their injustices towards another human being. When they ask why, I tell them that its little things like this that blew up into the Holocaust. One group saw itself as superior; and furthermore decided to pass BLAME on a group of people instead of holding responsibility of its own. Cowardly, awful, and leading to true injustice. I hope that my fellows, and me included, really learn a lesson from this. Superiority is not right, and never be afraid to call someone out on it. "The world just stood silent." And that was probably the greatest mistake of all. These lessons I will never forget, and make it part of my life's goal to maintain what I have learned. Zachor, we will. And learn, we will.
With warm regards and many thanks,
G. J. Venezia
Student
Hero
By: S. Wang
8th grade student
It was quite hazardous, having so many eighth graders in one place, taken from our classes and all poured into one room. There was lethargy in the air-many didn't see the point of it all, though they were glad to get out of class,-and they talked and carried on, as eighth graders do. But then, he walked in, and our voices became hushed, even of those who "didn't care," now the whispers of a dry, crumbly paper that comes from another millennia. He was dressed in gray, and when he spoke, he had a quiet' authority that was tinged with a note of sorrow that made his voice curl up at the edges, a rough patch on a sea of calm.
He told his story with the strength of a prizefighter, his inflection rising and lowering in pitch with each new phrase, the slightest trace of an accent touching his syllables. And the time ticked by, two and a half hours passed by without a glance at the clock, the story spinning itself, fabricating in front of our eyes; he wove it like a master storyteller. We were enthralled; those who "didn't care" had long since forgotten their little act, now watching him speak with attentive eyes.
He told of life and loss, swallowing the saltwater tears that threatened to spillover the edge, telling his story with a magic that kept even the most restless of us still. We knew that something was happening; something was changing, changing as the man in front of us brought what had previously been just text on a page to life. And it sickened me, what happened, not too long ago, sickened me that the human mind was capable of committing such atrocities, sickened me that so many had died. Horror, shock, disbelief, that they thought killing people as fun, just another game, Monopoly, perhaps, or poker. Then, relief that he survived, by luck and cunning and strength, survived on his wits and his courage. Sorrow, too, intermixed with it all; we could barely imagine six hundred, let alone six million. Sorrow, it reached deep inside of us and changed things around so that nothing would feel right for days, an unsettled stomach while his words haunted me at night. He was strong; he was brave, and barely an adult at that. He survived, despite suffering and pain; he dared to live, with no regrets of who he was. And he was a hero, no, he is a hero. Thank you, Ben Lesser. Thank you for everything, you are truly inspirational.
Words cannot express how blessed I am, to have had the chance to listen to your stories, and all the Pain you have endured. You are a very strong man Ben, and I am truly honored to have been able to meet you. Your are living proof that we can all overcome any obstacles that are thrown in our way. You show us that if we do set goals and have strong determination we can do anything that we work hard for. I would like to thank you for opening up my eyes to many many important things. You, Ben lesser are a true warrior, and I am truly blessed to have met you.
Dlootia Wedzin
Hello,
I hope you are well. I wanted to first and foremost say "thank you" for spreading your message and for getting young people to listen, so that preventing intolerance is a bit easier for future generations. I am curious as to if you would be willing to meet myself, my sons, and my husband to share your story. We are definitely admirers of yours and we really want to know more about your story. Thank you so much in advance. You are a hero, like the countless others alongside you who both perished and survived. Anyone who went through what you've been through has the ability to make a huge impact on future generations and I am so grateful you've taken the time and energy, no matter how painful it is to relive it all, to share your story with everyone. Thank you, thank you.
Take care,
Lori Myers
I'm a student at Hyde Park Middle School, and I'm extremely thankful for your presentation. As someone with a Russian background, I learned part of WW2 from the Russian perspective with Stalin and the Great Purge, but the Jewish perspective is extremely enlightening. The insight that you provided helped me understand the troubles that the Jewish population had to face to add to my knowledge of the struggles that the Russian proletariat had to face as well during the same time period. Thank you very much for coming to our school, and telling your story.
Sincerely,
Brian Baca
The pins will be used and passed out to over 400 personnel while they attend the Days of Remembrance luncheon. Many of the leaders at Fort Sill will attend this event that my Brigade is hosting. I wanted to find something to pass out to all the parties attending so that they could keep something to remember. I found the perfect thing with these Zachor pins.
Very Respectfully,
SFC Kelly M. Hart
ZACHOR Holocaust Remembrance Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA [email protected] 800.575.9583
ZACHOR Holocaust Remembrance Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charity.
Thank you for considering the future of ZACHOR. Your donation helps keep the memories alive and allows for our foundation to continue educating our youth for a better tomorrow.
