Annick Lever, a survivor of the Holocaust, expressed concerns about the possibility of history repeating itself, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our shared humanity. At the age of 11, Lever was subjected to an attack where she was targeted with anti-Semitic slurs, despite being unaware of her Jewish heritage at the time. Her childhood unfolded in Saujon, France, during the Nazi occupation, with her mother being Jewish and her father Catholic.

In a tragic turn of events, Lever, along with her family, was apprehended at a tender age of two months and imprisoned in a provisional jail in La Rochelle. Through a series of daring actions orchestrated by her father, who was part of the resistance, Lever and her family members narrowly escaped the clutches of imprisonment.

Subsequently, her mother, aunt, and grandparents were transported to a transit camp in Drancy, then to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where they met their untimely deaths. Lever’s poignant reflections underscore the arbitrary cruelty of the Holocaust and her deep-rooted fear of history repeating itself amidst contemporary global events.

Lever’s life journey led her to work as an au pair in Munich, where she encountered a family deeply impacted by the war. The poignant advice she received from a German acquaintance, “history has a way of repeating itself,” left a lasting impression on her, highlighting the enduring impact of past atrocities on future generations.

At 82 years old, Lever continues to advocate for remembrance and education about the Holocaust, emphasizing the significance of bridging generational divides. Her personal narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring need for tolerance, respect, and remembrance in a world marred by ongoing conflicts and injustices.