A Day with Survivor Irving Roth
recipients: Angela Hartman, Hutto High School, Hutto, Texas
date: Fall 2016

Angela Hartman invited Holocaust survivor Irving Roth to visit Hutto Middle School, where he spoke with seventh graders who have been learning about the Holocaust in her classroom. The students prepared for his visit by reading Bondi’s Brother, the memoir he penned with his son Edward.

 

Mr. Roth addressed approximately 200 seventh grade students, as well as faculty and other guests. The message he imparted was that it is always possible to help. He challenged students to stand up for what is right and speak up for those who have no voice. He also reminded them that it was their obligation to keep the history of the Holocaust alive, and asked the audience to “transfer the souls of survivors to generations to come.” In discussions following his visit, students spoke about Mr. Roth’s resilience and their anger and sadness at seeing the number tattooed on his left arm.