Holocaust survivor to tell story at University of St. Francis
Though more than a half century old, stories of the Holocaust will be brought to life at the University of St. Francis by a survivor of eight concentration camps and key war crimes trial witness. The University of St. Francis will welcome David Faber, the author of Because of Romek: A Holocaust Survivor’s Memoir on Monday, Nov. 7. The public is invited to this free event.
Faber, a Polish Jew, was only 12 years old when he was forced to watch the Nazis murder his brother Romek. For nearly six years, he suffered and survived Nazi persecution at eight concentration camps. By the time he was liberated from the Bergen-Belsen camp in April 1945, Faber was 18 and only weighed 72 pounds.
Faber, who witnessed the murders of both his parents and five of six sisters, promised his family that he would stay alive to tell their stories. His presentation will be at 7 p.m. in the University of St. Francis’ Moser Performing Arts Center auditorium. For information, call (815) 740-3404.
In 1961, Faber was a key witness at the war crimes trial of Adolf Eichmann, known as the "collector of Jews for death." Faber’s testimony about his experiences under the Nazi reign of terror is preserved at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. His book has become required reading at schools and universities throughout the world. For more information about the book and Faber, visit www.becauseofromek.com.
Faber, who lives in San Diego, has traveled the world speaking about his experiences as a Holocaust survivor. His presentations, which are free of charge, warn of the dangers of hatred and the importance of respecting one another.
The University of St. Francis, at 500 Wilcox St. in Joliet, serves more than 4,100 students nationwide. The university offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate study and 12 graduate programs. For more information about University of St. Francis programs, visit www.stfrancis.edu.