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Love, Light, and Courage: A Conversation with Holocaust Survivor Bernard Offen

Love, Light, and Courage: A Conversation with Holocaust Survivor Bernard Offen


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

In this conversation, we are joined by Bernard Offen, a Holocaust survivor, as he tells us his life story. In this personal testimony that we all need to hear, Bernard will share what happened to him, what it means to be a survivor, and the journey of his healing process.

At the age of ten, Krakow-born Bernard endured the Krakow Ghetto and the Nazi concentration camps of Plaszow, Julag, Mauthausen, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Dachau-Kaufering. Bernard was 16 when the war ended and he was liberated by the American Army, in Germany. Out of over 59 in his family, only he and his two older brothers survived. Prompted by questions from the audience, Bernard will share tales of his experiences pre, during, and post-war. He’ll share stories of his survival in five different camps, of separation from his family members, and of the search in finding his brothers after the war.

We’ll also learn of Bernard’s move to the USA and how he was quickly sent to Korea as an American soldier in the early 1950s. He’ll talk about his many returns to Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau on numerous occasions as a part of his healing process, he calls his walks, by bearing his testimony, "self-confrontation in the process of healing", and education of thousands of others.

This is a unique and deeply personal conversation with Bernard Offen. It should give any participant an eye-opening insight into the life of an unforgettable man who deals with “his memories and tells his story in a way that no one has heard it can ever forget”, ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust are never forgotten.

Please Note: Context is donating a portion of the proceeds to KAVOD, a 501c3 organization that provides emergency aid to Holocaust Survivors in need. Since 2015 their organization has worked diligently to support this vulnerable community in metro areas nationwide and to allow Survivors to live their remaining years with dignity and honor. If you're interested in learning more or donating yourself, you can visit their site at this link. 

Bernard Offen is a Holocaust survivor, who survived the Krakow Ghetto and numerous former concentration camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau. While he and his two brothers survived the Holocaust, his extended family of 59 were all murdered. Bernard emigrated to the United States in 1951 and fought as an American soldier in the Korean War soon after. He has returned to Poland on many occasions as a “process of healing”, and to lead and educate many groups. Bernard is the author of the book “My Hometown Concentration Camp”, and has produced several documentary films. He splits his time between California and Krakow, Poland.

Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 23 reviews
91%
(21)
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Patricia Stuart (San Jose, US)
History Revisited

Mr. Offen was a wonderful speaker and totally worth listening to. The farther away we get from WWII, the more people forget what happened, and some even deny it happened. Mr. Offen tells us how a young boy dealt with the Nazi's during WWII in a story we all should remember and take with us.

V
Vanessa Mazzoli (Simpsonville, US)

Guest did not leave comment

K
Karen Locascio (Quincy, US)
Just Listen

This was an amazing, unforgettable experience. Bernard is one of the best of us. He is purely human, open, good. He is a shining light whose story reminds us all how easy it is to lose the good in all the bad, and how fragile life is. If it were up to me, everyone would join a conversation with Bernard Offen.

J
Julie Goldman (San Francisco, US)
Thank you Mr. Offen

Gratitude and deep respect for Mr. Offen. I do not have the words to thank you and express how you have enriched my life. You will always be in my heart

A
Anonymous (Saint Paul, US)

I am very grateful to have been able to participate in this important and deeply moving Context Conversation. Given the opportunity, I wouldn't hesitate to sign up for another conversation with Bernard Offen.

Customer Reviews

Based on 23 reviews
91%
(21)
9%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
P
Patricia Stuart (San Jose, US)
History Revisited

Mr. Offen was a wonderful speaker and totally worth listening to. The farther away we get from WWII, the more people forget what happened, and some even deny it happened. Mr. Offen tells us how a young boy dealt with the Nazi's during WWII in a story we all should remember and take with us.

V
Vanessa Mazzoli (Simpsonville, US)

Guest did not leave comment

K
Karen Locascio (Quincy, US)
Just Listen

This was an amazing, unforgettable experience. Bernard is one of the best of us. He is purely human, open, good. He is a shining light whose story reminds us all how easy it is to lose the good in all the bad, and how fragile life is. If it were up to me, everyone would join a conversation with Bernard Offen.

J
Julie Goldman (San Francisco, US)
Thank you Mr. Offen

Gratitude and deep respect for Mr. Offen. I do not have the words to thank you and express how you have enriched my life. You will always be in my heart

A
Anonymous (Saint Paul, US)

I am very grateful to have been able to participate in this important and deeply moving Context Conversation. Given the opportunity, I wouldn't hesitate to sign up for another conversation with Bernard Offen.