Home Events + News Holocaust Survivor + Author Marion Blumenthal Lazan Visits Hoboken Middle School

Holocaust Survivor + Author Marion Blumenthal Lazan Visits Hoboken Middle School

by Via Rutkowski
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On Monday, November 18th, Hoboken Middle School students gathered around to meet the ever-inspiring Marion Blumenthal Lazan. Marion is a Holocaust Survivor and co-author of Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story which was part of the reading curriculum for the school’s English Language Arts and Social Studies programs. Read on for more about Marion’s story and her visit to Hoboken, New Jersey.

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Photo Credit: Hoboken Public School District

About Marion Blumenthal Lazan

Marion Blumenthal Lazan was born in Bremen, Germany in 1934. When she was just four years old, life as she knew it was torn apart by the Nazi regime. Marion and her family spent six and a half harrowing years in the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp during World War II before their liberation in 1945. Now, Marion resides in Hewlett, New York, and, since 1976, has dedicated her life to sharing her experience through speaking engagements and storytelling. She has even received a Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the highest honor presented by the German government for her courageous storytelling, and has been seen on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, PBS, and across dozens of schools, universities, and bookstores all over the globe. With all of Marion’s reach and publicity over the years, her intention remains the same: to continue to spread love, courage, remembrance, and tolerance amongst humanity.  And most of all, ensuring that history does not repeat itself.

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Hoboken Middle School Principal Ryan Sorafine echoed this sentiment saying via press release “It’s crucial that we remember the past to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated. I hope that Mrs. Blumenthal Lazan’s story helps our students understand the importance of tolerance, empathy, and standing up for justice. Her courage in sharing her story is an inspiring example for all of us.”

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Hoboken Middle School’s commitment to fostering understanding and awareness in regard to human rights, and particularly the Holocaust, aligned with Marion’s visit. The school’s Social Studies department continues to dedicate teachings to reflect the complex histories of the world and believes that literature and personal stories such as Marion’s add a deeper understanding of these important and painful historical events.

 


 

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About Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story

Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story is the ultimate story of resilience, encompassing all aspects of Marion’s story. Originally published in 1996, the book paints a full picture of Marion’s experience through the eyes of her childhood memories while weaving in important historical context about the horrors of the Holocaust. Ultimately, her story is one of survival and the importance of family

The memoir’s title, Four Perfect Pebbles, has a symbolic meaning that traces back to Marion’s dark days in the camp. Each day, young Marion would search for four stones to symbolize each member of her family and her undying hope for their survival. This small act became Marion’s private coping mechanism that helped her stay optimistic and full of faith during what would be the most difficult time of her life, and is another admirable example of Marion’s unparalleled resilience. Throughout the book, readers will be reminded to hone in on their compassion and continue to treat others with kindness.

The Hoboken Middle School students (grades six through eight) were deeply touched by Marion’s story. Eighth-grade student Fifi D. shared via a statement, “I’m so grateful I was able to hear Marion’s story directly from her. Learning about her life has made everything we’ve studied feel so much more real and important. I’ll carry her story with me for the rest of my life.”

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To support Marion and purchase a copy of Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story, visit her website.

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