Holocaust survivor's powerful testimony leaves lasting impact on Highlands students

Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann shared memories of a childhood shaped by unimaginable cruelty during a moving assembly Wednesday at Highlands Middle School, where he provided a glimpse of a lifetime dedicated to teaching others about resilience, humanity and the dangers of hatred.

Through both sorrowful recollections and messages of hope, Mr. Steigmann guided students through his extraordinary journey from surviving a Nazi labor camp in Transnistria during the Holocaust to rebuilding his life across several countries before ultimately settling in New York City. The deeply impactful assembly was organized in partnership with the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center.  

Student moderators Max Goldberg, Sophia Reinoso, Leilani Brooks, Riley Rosenberg and Sienna Zimmerman led a thoughtful discussion with Mr. Steigmann, asking compassionate and insightful questions about survival, healing after trauma and the responsibility individuals have to confront injustice.

The conversation carried emotional weight far beyond a typical classroom lesson. Students listened intently as Mr. Steigmann described enduring persecution as a young child, while also emphasizing the importance of empathy, courage and refusing to become indifferent to the suffering of others.

“Having students engage directly with a Holocaust survivor is one of the most meaningful educational experiences we can provide,” said Emory Davis, Coordinator of Social Studies 7-12 for the White Plains City School District. “We are tremendously grateful to the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center for helping make this program possible.”

Mr. Davis said the guest's testimony transformed historical events from textbook lessons into something deeply personal and human for students.

“Mr. Steigmann’s story brought history to life in an incredibly powerful way, and our students demonstrated remarkable maturity, empathy and curiosity throughout the program,” he said. “Our social studies and English teachers have done exceptional work helping students develop the historical understanding and emotional readiness necessary to engage meaningfully with testimony like this. You could see the impact of that preparation in the depth and quality of the students’ questions and reflections.”

As the assembly continued, students and staff members asked additional questions, creating a powerful schoolwide dialogue about the enduring lessons of the Holocaust and the ongoing need for civic responsibility and compassion. The program became not only a history lesson, but also a reminder of the responsibility each generation carries to speak out against hatred, intolerance and injustice wherever it appears.