Meet Holocaust survivor Ben Fainer, whose remarkable story bears witness to the darkest chapters of human history. Born in Poland, Ben tragically lost his siblings and mother in the horrors of Auschwitz, while he and his father endured the brutality of forced labor camps in Blechhamer, Buchenwald, and Flossenberg.

In this gripping conversation, Ben shares his harrowing experiences of survival amidst unimaginable adversity. From the daily struggle for existence in the shadow of Nazi oppression to the unspeakable horrors he witnessed as a child.

As Ben recounts the atrocities he witnessed and the indelible scars left by the Holocaust, his message resonates with profound urgency: to remember the past and honor the memory of those who lost so much in the face of Nazi Germany.

Quick Ideas for Using the Video with Students:
For Discussion:
1. Mr. Fainer used humor throughout this video. Have students discuss how and why they think he told his story in this manner.
Activity Ideas:
1. Provide the video to students doing independent or enrichment projects on the Holocaust.
2. Have students respond to the interview by expressing their emotional reaction to the video along with information learned through an artistic means–in a drawing, poem, or short story.
3. Use the video as part of a flipped learning activity as you discuss the history of World War II. Have students come ready to class to share their response to the video as well as questions the video inspired that they’d like to research and learn more about.