Room dedication honors Holocaust survivors

“After being tossed about in this world, survivors of the Holocaust have a home at Chapman. My fervent prayer is that the dignity of this room will inspire all who enter it.”

This heartfelt message, delivered by Holocaust survivor Natalie Weinstein Gold, conveyed the air of warmth and remembrance that greeted the dedication Monday afternoon of the  Joyce and Saul Brandman Survivors’ Room on the fourth floor of the Leatherby Libraries. Located across from the Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library, the Brandman Survivors’ Room honors those who have devoted their lives to remembrance and witness.  The room is used as a welcoming meeting place and comfortable interview location for visiting Holocaust survivors, scholars and students.

Weinstein Gold was joined at the dedication ceremony by her father, Leon Weinstein, who fought in the heroic Warsaw Ghetto uprising and who will celebrate his 100th birthday in a few months. Leon is just one of the heroes whose stories inspire the middle- and high-school participants in the annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest at Chapman.

“This room is home to a lot of ideas,” said Marilyn Harran, Ph.D., Stern Chair in Holocaust Education and director of the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education at Chapman. “And it shows how ideas can shape values and actions.”

Speaking for herself and her late husband as she cut the ribbon to open the Joyce and Saul Brandman Survivors’ Room, Mrs.  Brandman expressed her delight and added, “We hope all will enjoy it.”