Tenafly Chabad Academy had the profound privilege of hosting John Nanasi, a cherished grandfather to three students and a resilient Holocaust survivor, on the solemn occasion of Yom HaShoah. With reverence, he shared his journey through the war with our fifth through eighth-grade students, offering a firsthand account of resilience and courage amidst the darkest of times.

Born in Hungary in 1937, Mr. Nanasi’s was separated from his parents, who were stranded in America due to the war’s upheaval. He found refuge with his grandmother in Pest, Hungary at the age of 2. As the Nazi regime tightened its grip, he was entrusted to the care of non-Jewish individuals, navigating the treacherous landscape of survival under constant threat.

During the war Mr. Nanasi’s aunt was abruptly taken to Auschwitz, yet miraculously survived to be reunited with her family after the war. Mr. Nanasi himself endured the hardships of post-war displacement, attending a Red Cross camp for orphaned children. Amidst uncertainty, his parents orchestrated a daring plan for his reunion with them in America. At the tender age of 9, after seven years of separation, he was “kidnapped” from a trip to Austria the Red Cross took them on, and put on a plane to America where he was reunited with his parents.

Mr. Nanasi’s poignant narrative served as a profound lesson in empathy, courage and the indomitable human spirit. They were captivated by the living history before them, understanding the solemn responsibility of preserving and passing on his legacy. They were able to ask him questions and hear answers directly from a holocaust survivor.

As the last generation with the privilege of hearing firsthand from Holocaust survivors, Tenafly Chabad Academy was humbled by the opportunity to host Mr. Nanasi, ensuring that his story remains for generations to come.