Chabad of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly are hosting Holocaust survivor Goldie Jacoby to share her story on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Harold Miossi Hall.
Rabbi Chaim Hilel said with rising antisemitism and denial of the Holocaust, it’s important for people to see someone who actually lived through it.
“It’s powerful” to hear these stories, Hilel said.
Jacoby said she has been traveling to schools to share her story for the past 40 years and that the responses she has gotten from students have been “unbelievable.”
Jacoby said she has gotten letters from students saying after hearing her talk, their lives were changed. One student said they’re going to turn their life around and not join a gang, while another student said Jacoby’s talk inspired them to be kinder to their mom.
“When I get the letters I say, ‘Ok, I just have to keep going,’” Jacoby said.
Jacoby’s presentation will be about two hours long as she tells her and her husband’s experience during the Holocaust, according to the event page.
According to the event page, when she was five years old, Jacoby and the nine other members of her family hid in a small pigsty in Poland for three years and witnessed “unforgettable horrors.”
Hilel said he hopes Jacoby’s talk will have a positive effect on the community.
“The point is to give a message of hope,” Hilel said.
Jacoby cited a Jewish phrase and said “If you save one life, you save the world.” She said that is what she is trying to do when she shares her story.
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Jacoby said. “That people understand that we must be kind to one another.”
Tickets are free for students and range from $17 to $23 for general admission. More information about the event can be found on the Performing Arts Center’s website.