2023 First Person with Holocaust Survivor Peter Stein

The current surge in dangerous antisemitism underscores the importance of the Museum’s work to share testimonies from Holocaust survivors. They are our most powerful teachers about the consequences of unchecked antisemitism.
On his way to school in downtown Prague in the winter of 1943, six-year-old Peter Stein hurried off the tram, terrified the German SS officer who demanded his seat could sense his secret-that his father was Jewish.
Watch to learn how Peter managed to survive the war with his mother, who was Catholic, and what happened to his father and other Jewish relatives.
First Person is a monthly, hour-long discussion with a Holocaust survivor that is made possible through generous support from the Louis Franklin Smith Foundation.

[@englishlady8863]

Your welcome, it's an honour to listen to your testimony.

[@cherylrgreenwald]

As the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor--the only in his immediate family--I listen to as many first-person accounts as possible. Thank you for your courage and for sharing your story, Mr. Stein.

[@amyrivers4093]

It's the least that we can do to honor those who suffered for no reason. I relate strongly to your comment of appreciation. When I was 14 (32 years ago now) I was lucky that my English teacher set us 'The Diary of Anne Frank' over Shakespeare here in New Zealand. My eyes were opened to what hate and racism looked like. I've been interested in hearing the stories of the individuals who managed to survive and the basic history as well but my focus has been on the survivors. What I didn't find out until years later was that my teacher was a Jew who lived through the holocaust as a young child. I grasped at what she had told us as if wanting to know if she ever slipped up and said anything about what her family went through but nothing I could remember suggested that. She was a graceful lady that got the message across to years of English students her history and what war is and does to people without a word about herself. That tells me what an incredible woman she was. I can imagine that she relived her experience many times over so I think of her everytime I watch another survivors story out of respect for her. She was one of the people who inspired me to become a teacher myself.

[@MsUrbangirl]

Bill, I'm so glad to see you are the moderator! You are the very best, thank you!

[@sibert1974]

Excellent interview. Bill is one of the best interviewers. Always asks pertinent questions and obviously carries out research beforehand. I always enjoy watching First Person.

[@ritacorblies8799]

My Mom was Jewish and my father was Italian. They married in 1942. Thank you for this exceptional interview. Unfortunately antisemitism still exists.

[@sabreecarpenter4285]

Excellent interview, I'm glad Peter and his parents lived through those horrible years. Sad to hear that Peter's grandmother passed away. Just terrible how they couldn't have their medications. Scary to see how antisemitism is back in the news these days.

[@englishlady8863]

Agree, i love Bill such a kind man.

[@virginiawestcot3111]

Thank you so much for this heartfelt experience of your life telling first hand of the tragedy of war. Beautiful story thank you for sharing God Bless you ❤

[@n.stiller146]

Its truly difficult not to feel deep anger towards those who took part in these horrific inhumane acts against innocent people. It's astonishing what some humans are capable of doing .Thank you for sharing! Imagine this world if people just stopped hating,what a world it could be.

[@EmmettHenderson-hf1zm]

Please share this interview.

[@coreijensen4154]

Thank you for sharing your story.🙏🏼❤️

[@user-zh7lp6qi1z]

I’m not Jewish, but I believe in Jesus Christ and I take care of the Jewish man for five years. He was a holocaust survivor. I know all the story and he was an excellent man even better than my father. I love him so much unfortunately he passed away.

[@HisLoveBird]

I remember my mom would tell me her great uncle (or grandpa, i can't remember) was one of the soldiers that helped save the Jews from that horrid place. But in my family, we also had one that helped kill Jews too. The survivors are so strong ❤ im sorry they went through such horrific times

[@EmmettHenderson-hf1zm]

My grandads half brother was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials and investigator of nazis escaping justice.

[@n.stiller146]

How interesting!