JEMS Welcomes 3GNY Speaker Leah Goldberg to Share Holocaust Survivor’s Story

Jordan-Elbridge Middle School eighth graders had a powerful and moving learning experience this week as they welcomed guest speaker Leah Goldberg from 3GNY (Third Generation New York), an educational non-profit organization founded by grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.

Leah shared the courageous story of her Nagymama (grandmother), Susy Raful, a Jewish woman born in Budapest, Hungary, who endured the unimaginable during the Holocaust. In 1944, Susy was arrested by the Nazis and deported to Ravensbrück and several other concentration camps. Near the end of the war, she and her twin sister Mary survived a death march and were eventually rescued and taken to a hospital in a small Czech village near the German border.

It was during her recovery that Susy met Bob Raful, an American soldier. The two fell in love, and in June of 1947, she immigrated to New York to marry him. They remained devoted to each other for 71 years until Susy passed away in late 2018.

While Susy did not often speak about her experiences, her family knew the importance of preserving her story. Her sons recorded her memories to ensure that they would never be forgotten. Leah emphasized one of Susy’s most heartfelt messages:

"The single most evil word in the dictionary is hate. Never say hate. I have taught my children and grandchildren that you can say you dislike something, like you dislike broccoli, but don't hate it—and they listened to me."

Leah’s visit helped students connect history to humanity, reminding them of the importance of empathy, remembrance, and speaking out against hate.

We are deeply grateful to Leah and 3GNY for providing our students with this meaningful experience and ensuring that the voices of survivors continue to be heard.