BMHS Hosts Inspirational Assembly with Holocaust Survivor Manny Lindenbaum
During the 4th block today, Brick Memorial High School students and teachers gathered for a profound and moving assembly featuring Manny Lindenbaum, a Holocaust survivor. Mr. Lindensaum shared his powerful story of resilience, survival, and hope, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.
Mr. Lindensaum, now 92 years old, was born in Unna, Germany, in 1932. He had an older sister, Ruth, and an older brother, Siegfried. His father owned a clothing store, which suffered greatly as Nazism took hold. A large “J” was painted on the store window, signaling their Jewish identity. Their Christian friends distanced themselves, and Siegfried faced severe bullying at school for being Jewish. When it was time for Manny to start kindergarten, he was not allowed to attend because of his heritage.
On October 27, 1938, two weeks before Kristallnacht, Manny Lindensaum and his family were forcibly rounded up by the Nazis and chased to Poland. At just six years old, Manny recalls the Friday night service his grandfather began on the train, marking the start of their ordeal. They spent ten months in Zbaszyn, Poland, in an abandoned building without electricity, heat, or basic conveniences. Despite the harsh conditions, aid organizations like the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) provided food and relief supplies. Manny’s mother and sister, along with others, worked tirelessly to ensure fair distribution of these resources among the refugees.
Ten months later, with the German invasion of Poland imminent, Manny Lindensaum’s family rushed to the train station in Zbaszyn, aiming to flee to the Russian border. At the station, Manny’s parents made the difficult decision to send him and his brother, Siegfried, to England on the Kindertransport with a stranger offering them passage. Their 14-year-old sister, who had been attending school elsewhere, joined them en route to the boat but was denied passage due to her age. She managed to reunite with their parents, but tragically, all three were eventually deported to Auschwitz and murdered. Manny and Siegfried were on the last boat out of Poland to England before the Nazi invasion on September 1, 1939.
At the end of the war, Manny Lindensaum was reunited with his brother, Siegfried. At 13, Manny felt a strong urge to help establish a homeland for the Jewish people by joining a Kibbutz. However, relatives in Israel urged him to go to America instead. This was possible because his uncle, saved by the Dutch underground, had moved to America with his wife and bought a chicken farm in Farmingdale, NJ. Manny went to live with them, while his studious brother attended Rutgers, earned a Ph.D., and worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee before teaching at the University of Kansas until his death in 1993.
During the assembly, Mr. Lindenbaum emphasized the importance of remembering history to prevent future atrocities. “We must never forget,” he urged. “We must educate future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust to ensure it never happens again.”
His message of resilience, hope, and the enduring human spirit resonated deeply with students and staff alike. ELA/History Supervisor Chad Cutts, who organized the events, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We are honored to have had Mr. Lindensaum share his incredible story with us. His strength and perseverance are truly inspirational.”
Brick Memorial High School is committed to providing educational experiences that enrich our students’ understanding of history and humanity. Today’s assembly with Manny Lindenbaum is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of remembering our past.
