Visit of Alberto Israel to the school

'I left Auschwitz, but Auschwitz never left me.'



Alberto Israel, originally from the island of Rhodes visited the school last week to talk to S6 students and staff about his life before, during and after the Holocaust. 

The settlement of Jews in Rhodes is mentioned for the first time in the Book of Maccabees and it dates back to the 2nd century B.C. Proof of the Jewish presence in Rhodes has remained immutable for many centuries.

In 1941 there were approximately 1800 Jews living in Rhodes. Alberto, along with his family and the rest of the Jewish community of Rhodes were deported to Auschwitz on August 3rd, 1944. Their journey took approximately thirteen. On arrival at Auschwitz, the vast majority, approximately 1200, were killed immediately. Following liberation, only one hundred and fifty of the original community of 1800 survived. 


It was an extremely moving and powerful learning experience for all who had the honour of meeting Mr. Israel.

 

Short video of Alberto accompanying a group from Brussels on a trip to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz:

For more information on the former Jewish community of Rhodes:

http://www.jewishrhodes.org/html/history.php?lang=en