Holocaust survivor Jack Trompetter captivated North’s audience with his profound story during an assembly held in the Lasker auditorium during g-block, Tuesday, May 6. 

“In terms of hosting Holocaust survivors, we’re in this difficult time when we have fewer and fewer opportunities to hear from these people because their generation is aging so much,” said history department head Gregory Drake, “For students to hear something first hand is much more valuable than reading about it or watching a film.”

Trompetter was born in Amsterdam in 1942, and spent the first three years of his life in hiding from the Nazis in eastern Europe, separated from his parents who were hiding in a different location.

“It was a state of fear for five years,” said Trompetter. “Imagine that.”

North has had several Holocaust assemblies over the years, but this is the first time the history department was able to utilize its partnership with Facing History and Ourselves — an organization focused on civics and history — and have an in-person assembly since the COVID-19 Pandemic, according to Drake.

When recounting his harrowing tale of chance and luck, Trompetter said, “The Germans had convinced themselves—and others—that the Jewish people were not quite human.”

According to Drake, Trompetter’s storytelling allowed students to understand what happened during the Holocaust and hopefully gave students the tools and courage to stand up to modern day hatred and persecution.

“It was very moving to hear about one person’s experiences of a major world event,” said sophomore Paige Elman, “He is such a good storyteller and kept us on the edge of our seats the whole time.”

Trompetter, now 82 years old, speaks at various schools, newspapers, and museums, continuing to tell his unique story as a Holocaust survivor.