Opinion
Lily’s lesson? Shoah education is possible in a world of fake news
This Holocaust Memorial Day is the first without my incredible great-grandmother, Lily Ebert
January 24, 2025 11:00
3 min read
This Holocaust Memorial Day is the first without my incredible great-grandmother, Lily Ebert
January 24, 2025 11:00This Holocaust Memorial Day is the first without my incredible great-grandmother, Lily Ebert – Safta, as we called her. Whilst her absence feels deeply personal, it mirrors a broader reality: the survivor generation is fading away rapidly. As we lose their lived testimonies, we must find new ways to honour their stories and ensure the lessons they imparted remain vivid and impactful.
Safta survived Auschwitz-Birkenau, but she didn’t let that experience define her entirely. Instead, she built a life filled with hope and positivity, dedicating herself to sharing her testimony. At 20, in Auschwitz, she promised herself that if she survived, she would rebuild and tell her story. That promise became her life’s work, inspiring the work we did together in her later years.
In 2021, I suggested starting a TikTok account to share her story with younger generations. Safta laughed and said: “I’ll do it, but I’m not dancing!” Instead, she spoke directly to the camera, answering questions about her experiences and reflecting on kindness, tolerance, the dangers of hatred and the power of resilience. What began as a small experiment grew beyond anything we imagined: her videos reached over a billion people, with 2 million followers on TikTok alone.
These platforms gave Safta a new way to connect with the world, offering a glimpse into her life and lessons. She became “Safta” to many – a grandmother figure spreading hope in an often divided world. But this experience also revealed the double-edged nature of social media. While it enabled her message to reach millions, it also exposed the risks of distortion, trivialisation, and hate.
Survivor testimonies have always been our most powerful tool against denial and distortion. They bridge the gap between history and human experience, allowing us to comprehend the horrors of the Holocaust. Numbers like six million are impossible to grasp, but hearing one person’s story – Safta’s story – can make that scale more real. Without survivors, we risk losing this. And social media, while powerful and an incredible tool, can also amplify misinformation and hate.
Yet, we must not lose sight of how these platforms also offer immense potential. TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) can keep stories alive in creative ways, engaging younger audiences. Interactive holograms and programs like the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Testimony 360 are revolutionising access to survivor testimony, using virtual reality and AI-driven tools to preserve their voices dynamically. Technology, when used thoughtfully, can connect survivors’ stories to future generations.
The work Safta and I did together showed me that for these innovations to work, they must complement, not replace, the human connection survivors brought to their testimonies. Safta didn’t just recount facts; she shared emotions – grief, joy, and hope – that made her story resonate deeply. Preserving that authenticity is essential. But innovative methods remain vital for ensuring this history endures.
The loss of the survivor generation comes at a perilous time. Since the October 7 attacks 15 months ago, global antisemitism has surged at an alarming level. Violent rhetoric, attacks on Jewish communities, and Holocaust distortion have left many Jews feeling increasingly vulnerable. It is a stark reminder that the antisemitism that led to Auschwitz did not end with its liberation on January 27, 1945. Holocaust Memorial Day must confront these realities head-on. It cannot become a generic day of remembrance; it must remain a powerful tool to combat antisemitism, educate about the Holocaust, and prevent hatred from taking root.
For my family, this mission is deeply personal. Safta’s story is one of resilience and rebuilding, but also a stark reminder of where unchecked hatred can lead. She often said: “Never Again is not guaranteed.” Those words feel truer today than ever. Many in the Jewish community feel let down. To restore the promise of “Never Again” requires vigilance, education, and action.
Safta didn’t just survive; she thrived. She was energetic and fun, remaining a force of nature even as she aged. She loved life and believed in its possibilities, even after witnessing humanity’s worst. Her public work reflected this energy. After we started her TikTok account, we received messages from people worldwide. Some said her story inspired them to learn more about the Holocaust; others shared how her positivity helped them through difficult times. Safta often said she wished she could meet every person who reached out.
Her life, and the lives of all the survivors and the millions who were murdered in the Holocaust, compel us to act — not just to remember, but to educate, challenge prejudice, and build a better future. As the survivor generation leaves us, the responsibility to carry their stories forward becomes ours. It’s a weighty task, but also an extraordinary privilege.
This Holocaust Memorial Day, I will think of Safta’s smile, her laughter, and her unwavering hope. I will remember the names of her mother, Nina; her youngest sister, Berta; and her youngest brother, Bela – all of whom were murdered, along with over 100 members of her extended family and 14,000 others on July 9, 1944, the day Safta and her family arrived in Auschwitz. And I will continue her promise: to tell her story and ensure the world remembers – not just for her, but for all those who cannot tell their own.