AN historical and memorable occasion took place in St Dominic’s Secondary School, Ballyfermot recently when holocaust survivor Tomi Rechentenal visited the children.
He was welcomed and introduced by third year student Aleksandra in his native language and then by fifth year history student Eirn Dempsey in English.
It was a touching moment to see Alexsandra Medzihradska welcome someone from her native village in Slovakia.
Students, staff and visitors sat in respectful silence for two hours as they were reminded of the horrors of the concentration camps, as seen through the eyes of a child survivor.
At the age of nine, Tomi Rechental, with his mother, brother, grandmother, aunt and cousin, was incarcerated in the notorious Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
Their crime: being Jews in Slovakia under Tiso’s regime which collaborated in the deportation of over 80 per cent of its Jewish population.
“It was the most intense and heart-breaking story I’ve ever heard,
? said Leanne Cuff.
“It was an honour to meet such an inspiring and influential man with a big heart despite his past.
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Principal Mary Daly told Tomi that this was an event that had touched the lives of all students and staff as they prepared for his visit.