My eight-and-a-half year old daughter knows a lot about the great-grandparents she is named after (my paternal grandparents). And she is slowly learning--both at school and at home--how many German Jews perished in the Holocaust, while others (like her namesakes) narrowly escaped death and arrived in the United States. She doesn't know the specifics of the atrocities--that can wait a few years, I hope, but I tell her again and again how lucky we are that her great-grandparents made it out alive and safe, because that's how we are here, too.
Learn more about International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Also, as some of you know, my sister published an award-winning short story collection--Quiet Americans-- inspired by our grandparents' history.
Your sister's book looks amazing - I want to go read it now. I love what your daughter knows and think her understanding is at just the right level. This year I realized it is time to start talking to Ethan (my non-autistic kid) about the holocaust more.
ReplyDeletep.s. - one of my comment verification words was "Jewslag." Really?
Thanks, Varda! Yes, please read my sister's book--I think you will really appreciate it.
ReplyDeletep.s. the word verification- that is so creepy. i've had similar ones.