💬 Auschwitz Survivor to Speak in Reading

On March 3, 2025, the Reading community will have a rare opportunity to hear first hand testimony from 97-year-old Holocaust survivor Helga Melmed. Hosted by Chabad of Wakefield, the event will take place at the William E. Endslow Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School and is open to the public. Born in Berlin, Melmed’s childhood was shattered by the rise of Nazi Germany. At just five years old, she was called a “dirty Jew” and beaten by her teacher. By the time she was thirteen, she and her parents had been deported to the Lodz Ghetto, where her father perished. She was later sent to Auschwitz, forced into labor camps, and endured a brutal death march to Bergen-Belsen, where she was near death when the British liberated the camp in 1945. Now residing in Florida, Melmed is making a special trip to Massachusetts for this event, recognizing the urgent need to share her story amid rising antisemitism. “There is so much hate in the world today,” Melmed says. “I speak so people understand where hate leads, and why we must choose kindness instead.” The evening will feature a moving performance of the theme from Schindler’s List, setting the tone for reflection and remembrance. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at www.JewishWakefield.com/tickets or by calling 781-205-9593. This event is made possible by Chabad of Wakefield and generous corporate sponsors, ensuring that Melmed’s message continues to educate and inspire generations to come.