39°
Altmann was 14 years old when she was taken from her home in 1944, the same age as some of the 1,300 students who listened to her speak on Thursday, April 3, at the assembly arranged by the Student Council,
"Ms. Altmann's speech will focus on never giving up, staying true to who you are, and always remembering the past," said Student Council Treasurer David Shimer in an email to the school prior to her visit. "We are lucky to have her, and are confident that her message will resound with every member of our school's community."
Altmann was born in Jasina, Czechoslovakia, which was invaded by Germany in 1939. She said in the assembly that, “the men were drafted into labor camps and never seen again, and Jews were forced to wear yellow stars and walk along the gutters instead of on sidewalks. And my father was beaten and one of my sisters was deported and executed," according to a release.
“But the fear was the worst thing,” Altmann said. “One day in 1944, a group of German SS guards knocked on our door and told us we had half an hour to leave. We knew that wherever they were taking us, we were going to die.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice Chappaqua and receive free news updates.
