Viewpoint School has a wonderful annual tradition of hosting a Holocaust survivor to speak to the Upper School. This tradition honors the voices of the past and teaches students about an event so incomprehensible that it can often only be understood through the lens of an individual’s experience. Hearing a first-hand account of what we read in history books is powerful for our students; it brings "black and white" stories to life and offers a profound lesson in empathy, compassion, and finding humanity within an otherwise inhumane era of the 20th century.

On Holocaust Remembrance Day this year, Upper School students had the privilege of hearing from Paul Kester, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Paul shared a descriptive and poignant message, recounting his vibrant life in Germany before Hitler’s rise to power. He described the chilling shift in the 1930s as Jewish citizens—once fully embedded in German society—saw their freedoms stripped away and were forced to flee. He spoke of his confusion as a young boy, wondering why his own family members, who had fought for Germany in WWI, were suddenly branded as traitors.

He recalled witnessing the violence of Kristallnacht, the "Night of Broken Glass," when Nazis burned synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses across the country. Most movingly, he spoke of the harrowing decision his parents made to place him on a train to Sweden alone at just 13 years old. Paul was one of 5,000 children saved by the Kindertransport. While this journey saved his life, he never saw his parents again; they were later murdered in the Auschwitz death camp. Following the war, Paul settled in Los Angeles at age 17, where he built a career in finance and a life with his wife, Suzanne, their son, and two grandchildren.

Viewpoint’s Jewish Student Union (JSU) board members and advisors worked closely with Holocaust Museum LA to bring Paul to our campus. We are deeply grateful for our partnership with the museum and the incredible resources they provide. In their introduction, the JSU students noted the weight of the moment:

“You are among the last generation of students who will ever hear a first-hand Holocaust survivor account like this. As we listen, we’re not just hearing history; we’re taking on the responsibility to carry it forward. It reminds us that the lessons of the Holocaust are not just in the past. They challenge us to think about how we treat people today, how we respond to hate, and whether we choose to speak up or stay silent.”

Paul’s message of standing against antisemitism is both timely and vital. He called on everyone to lead with acceptance and respect for all people, urging us to see the good in others despite the hardships he endured. We are fortunate to be part of a school community that values this profound level of learning and actively seeks to expand our understanding of the past. His message left us with a sense of hope for a better future.