Raleigh man shares story of survival on Holocaust Remembrance Day

A somber program at Meredith College recognized a handful of Holocaust survivors, who participated in a candle lighting ceremony Sunday afternoon. As the candle were lit, attendees learned a little bit about what each person endured and how they survived the ghettoes.

“What took place during the Holocaust is almost beyond human comprehension. It’s hard to believe that human beings can do that to other human beings,” Glass said.

Glass said he remembers everything about the ordeal and said one of the most painful memories was the last time he waved goodbye to his mother and sisters.

“Once we were separated, I never saw my mom or my sisters ever,” he said.

Glass survived more than four years in the ghettos beginning in 1939 before he was taken to Auschwitz.

“That winter of 1944 to 1945, as well as 90 percent of the people perished or were killed. Auschwitz is impossible to describe,” he said.

Glass escaped from a Nazi train in 1945 and hid for three days until he was rescued. He said bitterness will always accompany the memories he has from that time period, but hatred is one thing he will never allow.

“The bitterness will probably stay with me the rest of my life, but I try very hard and I don’t have any hatred in my heart,” said Glass.

Members of the state Board of Education were also in attendance at the event. They talked about how Holocaust history is being incorporated into public schools.