Students hear story of Holocaust survivor

December 22, 2010

Mayfield High School junior Matt Montgomery asked Holocaust survivor, Carl Rosner, “what was the worst aspect of the Buchenwald concentration camp?”

“There was no future inside the camp.” Mr. Rosner replied. “Everyday was a real fight to stay alive.”

As part of social studies teacher Jennifer Wasserstrom’s Holocaust education project, 65 students from Mayfield and St. Johnsville attended his presentation on Dec. 16 at the Golub Center in Albany. This is the third Holocaust survivor that has presented to Miss Wasserstrom’s students.

“My students will never forget Carl Rosner and I’m so appreciative to both districts for allowing me the opportunity to share this moment with my students,” Miss Wasserstrom said.

Carl’s story is one of both sadness and inspiration. At the age of five, Carl and his brother were put into an orphanage in Hamburg, Germany. And by age 15, Carl was transported by cattle car to Buchenwald. He managed to survive Buchenwald by hiding in sewers and with the help of a fellow German from Hamburg.

“Carl is truly an inspiration to all our students that you that you can overcome any adversity,” Miss Wasserstrom said.

After a career at General Electric as a lead producer of superconducting materials and magnets, Carl, 81, retired to start CardioMag Imaging, Inc. This Schenectady-based firm manufactures a health care equipment using magnets to detect heart disease.