Andrew Schot’s story is both harrowing and inspiring, encapsulating the brutal realities of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit. His testimony is a stark reminder of the devastating effects of hate and prejudice, and why it’s so crucial to educate future generations to prevent such horrors from being repeated.
Schot, born in Amsterdam in 1931, was just 9 years old when Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands. His Jewish heritage, despite not being religious, marked him for persecution. He recalls the gradual but increasingly oppressive measures against Jews, from shop restrictions to the requirement for Jews to wear the Star of David, a chilling prelude to the horrors that would follow.
He shared that at 13, after years of hiding, he was captured by the Nazis. Schot and his sister had been living in hiding, moving from barn to barn in northern Holland, scrounging for food and avoiding detection. The memory of their capture remains vivid-he recalls the moment he woke to gunfire as German soldiers stormed their hiding place. Separated from his sister, Schot was eventually transported to a concentration camp in Papenburg, Germany, where he was forced into grueling labor, digging land to make it suitable for farming. His rations were minimal-just a slice of bread with lard each day.
Schot’s liberation in 1945, at the age of 14, came when British forces freed the camp. He recalls the sight of British tanks and soldiers, their faces masked against the overwhelming stench of the prisoners who had endured years of abuse. After being treated for his physical and emotional wounds, Schot was reunited with his mother and sister, though they were all deeply scarred by their experiences.
As a survivor, Schot emphasizes the importance of teaching future generations about the Holocaust’s lessons, particularly the dangers of hatred and prejudice. He warns against the "tribalism" that pits one group against another, which can escalate into violence and genocide. His message is simple: "Stay away from hate."
His powerful story was shared with an audience at the 390th Memorial Museum in Tucson, where he was joined by other Holocaust survivors. The event served as a poignant reminder that the memories of survivors like Schot must be preserved, as they offer invaluable lessons about resilience, compassion, and the need to guard against the forces of hate and intolerance in our world.
Subscribe for more compelling stories from The 390th Memorial Museum!
★Please like and subscribe to the 390th Memorial Museum UA-cam Channel
★Be sure to check out the 390th Memorial Museum's website at www.390th.org