Debby Ziering to Speak at Yom HaShoah Event

Preserving History: Debby Ziering to Share Legacy of Holocaust Survival and Justice

The commitment to “Never Forget” continues through the voices of the second and third generations. On April 12, the Greenburgh Hebrew Center in Dobbs Ferry will host Debby Ziering, a dedicated speaker and educator, for a presentation on her life as the daughter of two Holocaust survivors. This event, held in observance of Yom Hashoah, aims to bridge the gap between historical tragedy and contemporary remembrance.

The Legacy of Herman Ziering

A central focus of the presentation is the life of Debby’s father, Herman Ziering. Born in Germany, Herman’s experience during the Holocaust included being sent to the Riga Ghetto in Latvia and subsequently the Kaiserwald concentration camp.

Beyond surviving the atrocities of the camps, Herman Ziering dedicated his later life in the United States to a pursuit of justice. He focused his efforts on the exposure, deportation and eventual trial of Nazi war criminals, ensuring that those responsible for the genocide were held accountable.

Educational Initiatives and Community Outreach

Debby Ziering translates her family’s history into educational action through several specialized programs designed to engage younger generations:

• Names Not Numbers© Program: Debby co-teaches 8th-grade students at the SAR Academy in the Bronx. This oral history project empowers students to interview Holocaust survivors and create documentaries, transforming abstract history into personal narratives.
• Generations Forward Program: As a member of this group sponsored by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC), Ziering speaks to students and adults across various schools and synagogues.
• Safekeeping Stories: She serves as a facilitator for this program, further supporting the preservation of survivor testimonies.

In addition to her speaking engagements, Ziering serves as a Board Member for the HHREC, contributing to the organization’s mission of teaching lessons learned from the Holocaust to counter rising antisemitism.

Event Details: Yom Hashoah Program

The upcoming event at the Greenburgh Hebrew Center (GHC) is open to the public and is appropriate for individuals aged 12 and up. The program is free of charge, though an RSVP is required via adulteducation@ghcny.org.

Key Takeaways

• Intergenerational Testimony: The “Generations Forward” approach ensures that the stories of survivors are preserved even as the survivor generation passes away.
• Active Justice: Herman Ziering’s life demonstrates the transition from victim to “Nazi hunter,” emphasizing the importance of legal accountability for war crimes.
• Student Engagement: Programs like “Names Not Numbers” utilize documentary filmmaking to craft history tangible for middle school students.

By sharing these deeply personal accounts, Debby Ziering and the HHREC continue to foster a community of “Upstanders,” encouraging current and future generations to speak out against hate and injustice.