A Lesson From a Holocaust Survivor

Posted in Our Blog on September 18, 2012

The Holocaust can teach people to respond to enemies in one of two ways: either with a vow for vengeance or with an act of forgiveness. Holocaust survivor Eva Kor, née Mozes, chose to forgive the Nazis for placing her in the infamous concentration camp Auschwitz and performing experiments on her. Mrs. Kor explained to Times-Picayune reporter John Pope that she reclaimed the power that was taken from her as a victim by forgiving the Nazi’s. She further explained, “You don’t forgive because the perpetrator deserves it. You do it because you, the victim, deserve to be free again.”
Mrs. Kor’s story is fascinating because it demonstrates courage and strength of character. She and her twin sister, Miriam, were spared by Dr. Mengele from the gas chambers because both had blue-eyes. Although Eva was supposed to die after a disease-causing germ injection, her immune system overcame the infection. After she was rescued by the Soviet Army, she and her sister moved to Romania then to Israel. She later emigrated to America with her husband Michael Kor, an American and fellow holocaust survivor.
If Mrs. Kor can forgive those who have committed some of the most heinous crimes, can individuals not also forgive others for less? Certainly, the world would be a better place if murders were to never occur. For now, however, maybe it would best if we forgive, like Mrs. Kor has done, in order restore freedom, power, and order.