Holocaust survivor shares story with USN students
During a powerful lunch, Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann reflected on his childhood in Germany and Poland and shared tips for combating hate.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
"Hearing from Mr. Steigmann helps to make history not repeat itself," said Lexi Strauss '25. "It also helps students realize that learning about the Holocaust is not just something in one’s history books. It happened to real people and not that long ago!."
Steigmann’s recounting of his personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps was both poignant and powerful. However, he admitted that his memories of the horrors are often fragmented, a result of the trauma he endured.
"I don’t remember much of the camp, and I consider that a blessing," Steigmann shared, his voice reflecting a mixture of gratitude and sorrow.
Despite the gravity of his experiences, Steigmann’s humor and wit were ever-present. His lighthearted moments brought a touch of humanity and even levity to the otherwise devastating topic. Whether he was telling a funny story about his early days in the United States or cracking a joke about his less-than-perfect English, Steigmann’s humor helped break the tension, giving the students a chance to engage with a piece of history in a personal and profound way.
"I’m lucky," Steigmann said when asked about his survival. He explained to the group that it’s a phrase repeated by many Holocaust survivors who survived against overwhelming odds.
From his perspective, one of the most surprising aspects of his visit was the level of preparedness displayed by the students.
"I was impressed by the amount of students who were already familiar with the statistics and facts of the Holocaust," Steigmann remarked.
It was clear that the USN community had done its homework. However, while facts and figures are essential, Steigmann emphasized understanding the human element behind those numbers.
"Those numbers aren’t just statistics," Steigmann explained. "They represent lives that were lost too soon, dreams that were shattered, and families that were torn apart."
His personal stories about the people he knew and the relationships he formed, even in the darkest times, brought an emotional depth to the conversation. It was this humanization of history that left a lasting impression on the students, reminding them that history is not just a series of events but the experiences of real people.
"Mr Steigmann’s story was extremely memorable, which made him unbelievably active and engaging with our students," said Strauss. "Each survivor’s story is unique but all equally important to hear.
As Steigmann wrapped up his visit, his message was clear: the fight against hate must never stop. The students left Gordon Multipurpose Room with a deeper understanding of the Holocaust, a renewed commitment to stand against bigotry in all its forms, and a roadmap for how to honor that commitment.
"You are the future. It's up to you to make sure this doesn't happen again," Steigmann said.
By sharing his story, Steigmann is ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to resonate, even as the number of survivors dwindles. His visit to USN was a poignant reminder that we must never forget the past and, more importantly, never stop learning from it.
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To mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann spoke to a room full of University School of Nashville students on Friday, January 31. The event, organized by the Jewish Student Union in collaboration with the Office of Diversity and Community Life, allowed students from the Middle and High School to hear firsthand Steigmann’s harrowing yet inspiring story of survival and resilience.
At 85, Steigmann is one of the youngest remaining survivors of the Holocaust, and his voice serves as a living testament to the millions who perished. Despite the trauma he endured, Sami brought not only the weight of history but also his sharp wit and humor, which made his message of hope, survival, and vigilance resonate deeply with the students.
Steigmann’s message was clear: "We forget to learn from history." His desire to speak with young people stems from a deep belief that education is crucial in preventing history from repeating itself.
“Hate groups start small and then begin to grow,” Steigmann warned, stressing the importance of understanding how dangerous ideologies take root and spread. It was a sobering reminder that the Holocaust did not begin overnight — it evolved over years, fed by prejudice, fear, and unchecked hatred.
"It started with the Jews but didn’t end there," he said, pointing out that millions of others were also persecuted during the Holocaust. He said he wanted students to understand: atrocities are not confined to one group, and history shows us the terrifying potential for widespread suffering when hate is allowed to flourish.Steigmann’s message was clear: "We forget to learn from history." His desire to speak with young people stems from a deep belief that education is crucial in preventing history from repeating itself.
“Hate groups start small and then begin to grow,” Steigmann warned, stressing the importance of understanding how dangerous ideologies take root and spread. It was a sobering reminder that the Holocaust did not begin overnight — it evolved over years, fed by prejudice, fear, and unchecked hatred.
"Hearing from Mr. Steigmann helps to make history not repeat itself," said Lexi Strauss '25. "It also helps students realize that learning about the Holocaust is not just something in one’s history books. It happened to real people and not that long ago!."
Steigmann’s recounting of his personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps was both poignant and powerful. However, he admitted that his memories of the horrors are often fragmented, a result of the trauma he endured.
"I don’t remember much of the camp, and I consider that a blessing," Steigmann shared, his voice reflecting a mixture of gratitude and sorrow.
Despite the gravity of his experiences, Steigmann’s humor and wit were ever-present. His lighthearted moments brought a touch of humanity and even levity to the otherwise devastating topic. Whether he was telling a funny story about his early days in the United States or cracking a joke about his less-than-perfect English, Steigmann’s humor helped break the tension, giving the students a chance to engage with a piece of history in a personal and profound way.
"I’m lucky," Steigmann said when asked about his survival. He explained to the group that it’s a phrase repeated by many Holocaust survivors who survived against overwhelming odds.
From his perspective, one of the most surprising aspects of his visit was the level of preparedness displayed by the students.
"I was impressed by the amount of students who were already familiar with the statistics and facts of the Holocaust," Steigmann remarked.
It was clear that the USN community had done its homework. However, while facts and figures are essential, Steigmann emphasized understanding the human element behind those numbers.
"Those numbers aren’t just statistics," Steigmann explained. "They represent lives that were lost too soon, dreams that were shattered, and families that were torn apart."
His personal stories about the people he knew and the relationships he formed, even in the darkest times, brought an emotional depth to the conversation. It was this humanization of history that left a lasting impression on the students, reminding them that history is not just a series of events but the experiences of real people.
"Mr Steigmann’s story was extremely memorable, which made him unbelievably active and engaging with our students," said Strauss. "Each survivor’s story is unique but all equally important to hear.
As Steigmann wrapped up his visit, his message was clear: the fight against hate must never stop. The students left Gordon Multipurpose Room with a deeper understanding of the Holocaust, a renewed commitment to stand against bigotry in all its forms, and a roadmap for how to honor that commitment.
"You are the future. It's up to you to make sure this doesn't happen again," Steigmann said.
By sharing his story, Steigmann is ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to resonate, even as the number of survivors dwindles. His visit to USN was a poignant reminder that we must never forget the past and, more importantly, never stop learning from it.
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.