Audience Testimonials

"Dear Professor Silbiger, I cannot thank you enough for coming back to my classroom and teaching my students. It means so much to all of us to hear directly from you. I want my students to continue to gather perspectives of history and see the direct impact that history has on their current lives; your teachings do just that."

"Thank you for having the speaker today. My daughter kindly invited me to watch with her — he was incredible. His story was fascinating and we have already had some big, important conversations. It makes history so interesting to hear it from someone who lived it! We were both in tears during his talk and I appreciate the way it opened up different conversations for us!"

"Thank you so very much, Mr. Silbiger, for taking the time to come talk with my 7th graders. They thoroughly enjoyed hearing your story from you. They can read all the books they want and watch all the movies they want, but hearing directly from you in person is beyond comparison. It really brings everything to life for them."

"As a Jew living in an age with anti-semitism on the rise, I am grateful for you and other survivors educating people and teaching tolerance through telling your story especially with so few survivors left and some now denying that the Holocaust even happened. Thank you."

"Good morning, Mr. Lowder. On behalf of East Wake Magnet High School, I wanted to thank you for your incredibly moving and enlightening presentation on Monday. Your willingness to share your research and insights with our students left a great impression on all of us. Your presentation not only provided valuable historical context for our students but also served as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. We are deeply grateful for your dedication to Holocaust education and are honored to have had the opportunity to learn from you. We are planning to continue this program in the future, and I look forward to inviting you to visit us again."

"Hi Mr. Goldberg, My name is Arjun, and we briefly chatted earlier today after the assembly. I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for sharing such a powerful, inspirational story. Hearing the story of someone who persevered through so much is, of course, saddening, but seeing his resilience and his "choice to be happy" despite his unparalleled hardships is truly motivating. I can confidently say that, whenever I'm faced with an obstacle in the future, Abe will be on my mind. I couldn't sense a heart in the crowd that wasn't touched after hearing Abe's story. This assembly was undoubtedly the best I've attended in all four years of my high school career. It was one of those moments we simply will never forget."

"Having Steve Goldberg present 'Abe's Story' to the Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division was one of the most impactful training events of my career. In the military, we talk extensively about tactical bravery, but Steve's presentation challenges Soldiers to develop a different kind of strength: the moral courage to act when it is most difficult. By weaving Abe Piasek's harrowing journey through the Holocaust into a modern leadership framework, he provided our formation with a visceral understanding of the bystander effect and the weight of ethical responsibility. Steve doesn't just share history; he bridges the gap between the past and the present, forcing leaders at every level to examine their own character. The feedback from our Paratroopers was immediate and profound, with many citing this as the most relevant training they have received on the 'human' side of leadership. If you are looking to inspire integrity, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose within your organization, Steve Goldberg is the voice you need to hear."

"On March 27, 2026, Elkhorn South High School welcomed Mr. Steve Goldberg to speak to our sophomore student body about his friendship with Abe Piasek, a Holocaust survivor. The speech was arranged through the Omaha Institute for Holocaust Education, in conjunction with the IHE's Week of Understanding. Mr. Goldberg and I had corresponded a few times in advance of the presentation, which allowed him to tailor his words to our audience. All of the students in attendance — approximately 400 in total — have studied the Holocaust in their world history course and have also read Elie Wiesel's memoir, Night, in their English class. Mr. Goldberg has a thorough presentation that he said he's delivered over 200 times, but he specifically tailored his speech to our kids based on their previous experiences and understanding of the Holocaust. Whenever possible, he related Abe's experiences to that of what Mr. Wiesel described in his book. By doing so, this made it incredibly relatable to our students, and also made his words more powerful. The students were captivated for the entire 75 minute speech, and the only negative feedback we received from our students was that the presentation was not long enough; they were genuinely disappointed when it was over! I've been teaching high school students for over 25 years, and that's the highest compliment that one could receive! I have been lucky enough to personally hear several Holocaust survivors and many other friends and families of survivors share stories of survivors. Each one is unique, genuine, heartbreaking, and inspirational. What made Mr. Goldberg's speech truly remarkable is how he took the extra time to fit it to the needs of our students. He sought out questions ahead of time and worked them into the presentation, and also encouraged and took part in follow-up discussions with our kids. In the crazy world of artificial intelligence and fake news that we live in, it's sometimes difficult to discern what is factual and what is false, but the sincerity of Mr. Goldberg cannot be questioned. He cares. He deeply cares. And that quality comes through clearly with his speech. I cannot recommend his presentation highly enough; it's truly must-see viewing. Mr. Goldberg shared that Abe's last request of him was to continue telling Abe's story. I am so lucky to have been present to witness him carry out Abe's last wish."

"I had the honor of hosting Steve Goldberg for a talk at Harvard Business School a few months ago to share Abe's story with students and faculty. Steve brings to life a story of many lifetimes, woven together with maps, videos, history, research, and lessons and values. For 2 hours he stood in front of the audience and brought Abe to us. Everyone sat almost frozen in time. Through my mind went thoughts of sadness, fear, and tragedy, but at the same time humor, nostalgia for memories of my grandparents, and pride (as a human seeing a man go through so much devastation and still have love to give back to the world). This wasn't a story about Holocaust survival — Steve retells it with so much depth and detail from the connection he had with Abe — that it was the story of a person, friend, a grandparent, a baker, a husband, a dreamer. It takes a chapter of humankind that I thought I knew most things about, and which sat in my head as a bunch of numbers and facts, into a deeply personal one. Steve asked me months later what stuck with me, and what ideas from his talk am I still holding on to. First, a reminder of the responsibility to bear witness. Year after year, we have less and less survivors to sit with to hear their stories. With less living testimonies, the less personal stories we have to hold on to, and the threat of Holocaust denial looms much larger (or just being indifferent to its memory). Seeing Steve present both reminded me of the immense pressure of bearing witness and remembering the Holocaust and its lessons, and also made it clear that I had something I can do — I can take it upon myself to know a story like Abe's by heart. If Steve can take a responsibility like this on himself, I can too, you can too, we can all find a story of a Holocaust survivor and study it inside out and share it with future generations. Secondly, I think a lot about Abe's values and character traits that remained unchanged even after all that he went through. Abe's story, told through the eyes of Steve, is such a deep embodiment of the value of Tikkun Olam — the story of him opening the door of his bakery to give a loaf of bread to anyone hungry who came knocking, and the many other acts of community service and building. Lastly, maybe this is the last word people would associate with Abe, but he was deeply entrepreneurial. From hiding the chicken in his pants, to how he managed to trade in a bicycle for a motorcycle in 1946 after liberation in a displaced persons camp, to going from baker to bakery owner. I am a founder, and these stories of creativity and resilience wrapped into one made me think about my family's history and their investment in education through different eras of Jewish persecution. Thank you Steve for all the work you have done and continue to do around Holocaust education and most importantly for taking the words of your friend to heart and fulfilling the mission of 'keep telling my story' that Abe asked of you. Please support Steve in bringing this beautiful story to more groups."

"Dear Mr. Moneta, Thank you so much for sharing your deeply moving and personal story of your parents' experiences during the Holocaust. Your kindness, positivity, and personable approach made their story even more impactful. Your willingness to share such intimate details is not only appreciated but serves as a profound reminder of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. Your words will resonate with us long after today and have touched many people in the room."

"Dear Mark, I really felt that I had to write a note to thank you again for coming to Judea Reform Congregation and presenting your father's story. Those normally very squirrelly kids were captivated as you brought the frightening topic of the Holocaust to a very personal and meaningful level for them. I have heard your father's story a few times now, and it is still as enthralling as ever. I am sure he would be so proud that his story continues through your presentations. It is my most profound desire and mission to give these kids a meaningful Jewish education. I know that your presentation will stay with them and continue to impact their thinking about and understanding of the Holocaust. Please accept my deep appreciation and my thanks."

"Mark Wygoda thank you so much for an amazing presentation. Since the event has concluded people have been stopping by my office to tell me how much they enjoyed your presentation. Some of the comments I've gotten are that it was "the best they have ever attended." Sir that speaks volumes to your ability to capture your audience with your story telling. The audience was really engaged and had many questions. On behalf of the 35th Corps Signal Brigade Command Team and the 35th CSB Equal Opportunity Office, we truly appreciate Mr. Wygoda's AMAZING presentation as we honored Holocaust Days of Remembrance on May 08, 2024."

"Mark Wygoda was an excellent speaker and provided interesting details about his father's story. The audience was really engaged and had many questions. The staff all loved the presentation and thanked him for coming out and sharing his father's Holocaust history with us. On behalf of the Raleigh Military Entrance Processing Station, we truly appreciate Mr. Wygoda's compelling presentation as we honored Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 26, 2024."

"I recently had the honor of meeting Debbie Long, who is a second generation Holocaust survivor and a member of the North Carolina Holocaust Speakers Bureau. Debbie shared her parents' experiences in Auschwitz with my tenth grade students. Her talk was a moving and eye-opening experience that enriched our reading of Art Spiegelman's graphic novel, Maus. She also left plenty of space for students to ask her questions and process her story — she approached their thoughts with sincerity and care. Her testimony was a reminder that we must never forget the lessons of the past and that it is our responsibility to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated."

"On behalf of Rolesville High, I wanted to thank you for your incredibly moving and enlightening presentation yesterday. Your willingness to share your insights with our students left an indelible mark on all of us. Your presentation not only provided valuable historical context but also served as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. We are deeply grateful for your dedication to Holocaust education and are honored to have had the opportunity to learn from you."

"Thank you so much for coming to speak to our students at Culbreth Middle School about your mother's experiences during the Holocaust. Your presentation made an enormous impact on our students and staff. After your presentation, many students spoke of how your mother's story enabled them to emotionally connect with an individual who was affected by the horrors of the Holocaust. We so appreciate you sharing your mother's story with our students and answering their questions."

"Mr. Goldberg, Your presentation on the life of Abe Piasek will undoubtedly be the most memorable class of the semester for me and my students. Your recordings of Abe in his own words and your obvious heartfelt connection to him as a man of incredible courage and warmth made his life feel palpably real for us. You didn't shy away from the difficult topics — the trauma that Abe carried with him his entire life — but due to Abe's wisdom, his story is also one of mental fortitude and ultimately, of freedom. I can't thank you enough."

"Shelly, Today in class we read Elie Wiesel's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech and discussed the danger of indifference. In every single class period, students referenced your presentation as support for why we cannot remain silent when we see any form of oppression. It was so moving to see how many students were impacted by your words, and I cannot thank you enough for setting the tone for this unit!"

"Rose, thank you again so much for coming to speak with our students yesterday. The presentation was tremendous and fantastic conversations followed in classrooms throughout the day as students were eager to learn more and discuss your presentation. I know the 8th grade is eager to head to the Holocaust museum, and will be looking for your dad's card."

"It was wonderful for me as an instructor to hear and read my students' reflections following Long's visit. They were fascinated with the sort of investigative work required to piece together your family's experiences. Some likened it as a sort of "cold case" being solved across time, place, perspective, and language. Some students were particularly moved by the glimpses of people's "decency" in a time of such inhumanity. My students took to using the term "2G" in their writing with a respect for the awesome responsibility you and others take up in bearing witness."

"Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wisdom and insights with us today. The kids (and their teachers) were enlightened and moved by your personal experiences and perspectives. There's not a textbook or website that can replace what you were able to impart to the kids today."

"The Holocaust Speakers Bureau gives students the opportunity to interact with living history. It brings their studies of World War 2 and genocide into real life, leaving them with life-long lessons in fortitude, promoting kindness and generosity even in our darkest hours and standing up for those who are oppressed."

"Again, thank you so much for bringing Esther to our campus. What a joy and a privilege to have met her. I still feel the impact of her story and her resilience. I have made a donation in her honor, which was more of an honor for me. I will treasure the book and glean from Esther's wisdom."

"I wanted to write and say thank you again for the wonderful presentation you gave at the 4-H conference last week. The students were all so incredibly moved by hearing you speak, and I hope you know what an impact your donation of time made in each of their lives. Your story impacted over 150 people that day, and that doesn't even count the people they will share your story with second hand. I know that positive ripples have spread all over the state of North Carolina based on the message of tolerance, hope and survival you shared."

"Mr. Hal Myers' moving presentation to our students at Culbreth Middle School made such an important difference in their understanding of the human dimension of the Holocaust. Mr. Myers shared his and his family's pain, but he also helped students understand their responsibility to always do the right thing — a message that resonated strongly with them."

"By being able to ask Mrs. Lederman questions and talking with her, gave me greater compassion and sensitivity to what she endured and how she survived. Mrs. Lederman donated her time as well as ten of her memoirs and was very pleased to answer the questions the students asked. She truly embodies NCCU's motto of "truth in service.""

"I cannot tell you how much today's program impacted me and, it appeared, the audience. Mrs. Lederman is an inspiration, a ray of hope, in a world too often filled with hate. Thank you so very much for organizing this program about Mrs. Lederman's experience surviving the Holocaust."

"Thank you again for this very valuable, enriching, and timely experience with Mrs. Lederman. It has touched me deeply and moved me even more towards advocacy and standing up for issues of social, political, and human rights and justice in our world."

"There are no words to describe how incredible it was to hear the stories told by Ben Ferencz on January 31, 2018. The moderators were wonderful too. Thank you, Sharon, for all the meaningful work you do in our community and beyond. I was so touched by Ben's sustained passion and forward-thinking view of the world and the challenges we face. And especially touched the way he was empowering the students to carry on the fight for "law, not war." Just brilliant!"

"Thank you for inviting us to your temple. The inhumanity of the Holocaust should never be forgotten. Resistance to evil should always be the path we should take. Highlighting the horrors through writing and art is one way in which the message can continue to resonate with the young."

"Hal and Sharon, I enjoyed the evening very much and was so thankful to be part of the group. The stories that Hal and Nick shared were touching and I will always remember that special evening. Great thanks to you for making events like these possible."

"I was very impressed by all the stories I heard from Mr. Myers that evening. I learned a lot about history and will always remember it."

"Dear Ms. Long, Thank you for coming in to speak with us today! It means a lot to take time out of your day to tell us your parents' story. I learned a lot of new things about the Holocaust. I felt like I could feel the pain from your mother when her parents got taken away. I could not imagine me being separated from my parents. I am going to take this experience and share with others what I've learned so we never repeat the future."

"Dear Ms. Long, My name is Josh. I want to thank you for coming yesterday and sharing your parents' stories with us. I learned some very interesting facts about the Holocaust including the amount of concentration camps that were all around Europe during WWII. Also it was fascinating to hear how your mom preserved and survived through each concentration camp. Your story made me feel sad because all of these innocent people died and had to suffer. Although it also made me feel hopeful that because we are learning about the Holocaust we are never gonna repeat it."

"Dear Ms. Long, Thank you so much for coming out yesterday! I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to share your mother's and father's story. I found your parent's story very interesting but also touching. I learned so much about the Holocaust that I didn't know. It inspired me to think a little deeper into what people have gone through. I love the fact that you studied so much to learn what happened in your parent's history. It helped all of us learn more about the Holocaust so that we don't repeat it."

"Dear Ms. Long, Thank you for coming to our school to talk about this sad topic. I learned so much from your speech like specific dates that events happened and how devastating it was for your family. I will tell your mom's story to anyone that tries to be antisemitic to let them know this is no joke. I will know to always be resilient through hard times because there will be light on the other side."

"Dear Ms. Long, Thank you so much for coming to our school. I greatly appreciate it, and I learned so much. Your talk was so moving, and I was brought to tears. Thank you for sharing that sentimental story with us. I will be sure to carry it for all my life. What your family, and many others, faced was horrible and inhumane. I hope something like that never happens again, but sharing stories like these are so critical to preventing it. So I extend my deepest gratitude for coming in and sharing something so raw and emotional."

"Thank you for taking the time to teach my grade and I about Abe Piasek. I really liked your presentation and could see you put in a lot of time and effort into it. Before your presentation, I did not know the Holocaust was a thing in history and had no idea about it. Thank you for teaching me about the Holocaust."

"Thank you so much for taking the time to share with our school about Abe. He seemed like a very nice person — so brave and smart. The topic about the Holocaust is a very sad and emotional matter and I feel for Abe and all those people who had to suffer just because they were Jewish. Something that stood out to me in your presentation was the cable cars. I had no idea that it was only meant for ten people at max, and over 80 people were forced into that tiny cable car."

"Thank you for talking to us about Abe Piasek. You did a great job telling the stories. It was as if Abe was right there in front of us talking about it. His stories were very intriguing and sorrowful at the same time. I still feel the pain in my heart of the murder of so many people."

"Almost the same kind of thing as the Holocaust happened in my religion. There was a Genocide and it occurred in 1984 and my dad, my dad's brother, my Grandparents, and everyone else in my family were survivors. This reminded me of the story of where Abe's friend got shot in the head by the German Soldiers just because they were Jewish."

"One message I can take away from this presentation is to not hate, not be a bystander, and to always look on the bright side. I will (and do) look on the bright side and not hate anyone, just ignore them."