We are sad to share with you that local Holocaust survivor and HAMEC speaker Itka Zygmuntowicz passed away on October 9th, 2020. May her memory be a blessing. Itka was one of the most dedicated speakers and educators we have had the pleasure to work with and learn from. As a survivor several concentration camps, including Auschwitz and Ravensbruck, she dedicated her life to educating students about the terrible consequences of unbridled hatred and the lessons of the Holocaust. Of course, family came first for Itka, as a devoted wife, mother, and great grandmother she also set an amazing example of what we should all strive to be. She was loving, tough, smart, and dedicated. We, who loved her, will miss her. The thousands of young lives she touched and changed will be part of her wonderful legacy. HAMEC board member and Holocaust educator, Lise Marlowe says of Itka, “My students learned so much about love from Itka and how to be compassionate, the most powerful words she used was the following, ‘As a survivor, I realize the only way to combat evil is to do good. The only way to combat indifference is to care, the only way to combat the Nazis’ eagerness to destroy all traces of their crime is to tell the story of the Holocaust, which is also the story of humankind. The Nazis are not going to tell you about what they did.’ My students took away the importance of telling survivor stories when they are gone, the story of the survivor becomes their story and responsibility to tell.” In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions in her memory be made to the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center. Suite 203/205 8339 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027 info@hamec.org