88-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Graduates — 71 Years After Nazis Denied Her
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
(JTA) — A Holocaust survivor in Plymouth, Minnesota received her high school diploma 71 years after she was denied the opportunity by the Nazis.
Esther Begam, 88, donned a blue cap and gown earlier this month and received her diploma surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as the Wayzata High School class of 2017, the local NBC affiliate KARE reported.
Begam’s entire family was killed during the Holocaust. From the age of 11, she lived in a ghetto in Poland and then worked in a forced labor camp. At the age of 17 she married a fellow survivor and moved to Minnesota, according to KARE.
Seven years ago, Begam spoke at the high school about her war-time experiences and when asked what was her biggest regret she answered that it was never receiving a high school diploma.
Teacher Candice Ledman approached the school administration about awarding Begam an honorary degree. She was denied, but this year when a new principal, Scott Gengler, took over, he immediately agreed, according to KARE.
Begam was presented with a diploma and a graduation cake; she threw her mortarboard in the air after being awarded her diploma.
Her grandson Lenny Segal, in a speech at the graduation, called on the students to share Begam’s story, “so we can make sure this doesn’t happen again,” according to KARE.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
