Holocaust survivor, Daniel Goldsmith, shares his incredible story of resilience, survival and healing
On May 24 at 6:00 p.m., Downingtown Area School District (DASD) community members are invited to listen in as Holocaust survivor, Daniel Goldsmith, shares his incredible story of resilience, survival and healing in a community event like no other.
DASD’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mission is to provide a culture of inclusivity and empathy, fostering educational equity that can grow, flourish and reach beyond the DASD community. The DASD community has greatly benefited from programming, initiatives and events that highlight people from different backgrounds, including their life changing experiences and stories. This month, DASD will celebrate the incredible contributions Jewish Americans have made, not only domestically, but also abroad.
Daniel Goldsmith was born in Antwerp, Belgium to an orthodox Jewish family. His father was a plumber and his mother a homemaker. He was 8 years old when the German army invaded in May 1940. After the Nazis raided their street one night in September 1942, arresting Jewish families, Daniel’s mother visited a known resistance movement member and within 48 hours, Daniel and his sister Lillian were placed in a Catholic school where they were hidden. The nuns were the first of those who helped hide him until he was liberated at the age of 12 in September 1944.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Justin Brown states, “DASD is a district that has always been committed to Shoah education as an integral piece of the high school experience, holding an annual Holocaust symposium to share the stories of survivors to ensure the next generation never forgets. Our celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month represents a real opportunity to further the conversation of creating more equitable and inclusive institutions.”
“Daniel’s story is truly remarkable and we are honored to host him. As members of the DASD community, I believe it is important for us to realize that anti-Semitism is on the rise, it has not gone away. To effectively combat this both emotionally and socially, we must first understand what it is and the historical impact it has had on members of our Jewish community,” says Director Brown. “DASD strives to take an empathetic approach with our district while creating an environment and culture that investigates core issues and recognizes all cultures and backgrounds.”
To learn more about DASD’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, and to see examples of its program in action, please visit www.dasd.org/diversity.
