Despite Nazi cruelty, survivor considers her life blessed

Even though she lived six years “under the unbearable cruelty of the Nazis,” Eva Lassman considers her life has been blessed. Since she was liberated 60 years ago, she married and gave birth to three sons who now have families.

Eva Lassman, Rabbi Jack Izakson, Jody Zelllman, Phyllis Silverstein in front of the Holocaust Monument

“By staying alive, I defied Hitler and I have seen my lifelong dream of the birth of the state of Israel. 

“I lost my family in the Holocaust and, 29 years ago, my husband. 

"I am here to dedicate the Holocaust Memorial for the 6 million and for other victims Hitler deemed undesirable.

“I hope it will be a beacon against hate, an honor to those no one cared for and a reminder so future generations will live in peace,” Eva said.

During the Yom Hashoa service, she said that on Sept. 1, 1939, she was forced into “a life of cruelty, hatred and evil that no one should have to endure.” 

She was subjected to beatings, torture and other dehumanizing cruelties.

“I lost all I had and loved—belongings, home and family.  Despite the pain and suffering, I persevered until liberation on Jan. 17, 1945.  Liberation did not end the suffering.  I was left with no family, no home and a community still filled with hate,” Eva said.

In a displaced persons camp, she met her late husband, Walter. 

They immigrated to the United States in 1949, arriving in Spokane. 

Because few would rent to a family with two children, the Lassmans stayed the first months in a hotel, until people in the temple found an apartment for them.  Their third son was born here.

They learned English, he established a business, and they reared their sons.

“Other children had grandparents.  Eventually, one of my sons asked a woman to be his grandmother,” she said.

“With the blessing of the Almighty, I have reached 60 years since liberation.  The journey has not been smooth.  There have been bumps, detours and challenges.”

Plagued by flashbacks, she dedicated her life to teaching about the Holocaust and  tolerance.

“We need tolerance more than we need love,” she asserted.

“My late husband always encouraged me not to give up.  It’s sad he is not here to share this day,” Eva said.


Beyond statistics of millions,
third generation knows people lost

Rabbi Jack Izakson, a child of a Holocaust survivor and husband of a child of a Holocaust survivor, reflected on the words of King David in Psalms and the prophet Jeremiah, each speaking of the destruction brought on Israelites by their enemies: “Pour out your wrath.  They have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.”

Recalling the destruction of the families he and his wife represent, he echoes those sentiments.

“This memorial represents the dignity of our family members who were murdered—including 67 members of my mother’s family and 79 members of my father’s family.”

It also represents 1.5 million Jewish children, 3 million of Poland’s 3.5 million Jews, 6 million “Jewish souls ripped from their bodies, incalculable future generations that will never be, dreams that were never fulfilled and a way of life we’ll never see again,” he said.

“Their mortal remains lie somewhere in Europe, in unconsecrated ground, unadorned by even the most primitive of markers.  May this memorial give them the dignity in death they were denied.  May they rest in peace and may their memories always be recalled for a blessing,” said Jack, adding, “The monument will stand long after we are gone. 

“We dedicate this memorial and hope that never again shall such things happen to other human beings.  We pray for peace for the souls of all who have gone to their eternal home and pray the memorial will inspire people to do deeds of good,” he said.


Third generation accepts obligation to prevent hate from spreading
Representing the third generation of Holocaust survivors in Spokane, Jody Zellman, said he was exposed early to “the ghastly and appalling truth surrounding” his grandparent’s early lives.

Jody Zellman

“I often wonder how those who do not have any Holocaust survivors in their lives think about the events from 1939 to 1945.  It is unfathomable to image the systematic slaughter of 11 million human beings, with no distinction between infants, mothers or grandmothers.

“It is more unfathomable to realize people like you and me committed such murder,” he said, recognizing that more than Jews lost their lives in the Holocaust.

He does not blame those who want to separate themselves from the atrocity, but he realizes separation is the problem humankind faces.

“We are too apathetic and we forget too easily,” Jody said, noting that few even know the number of people murdered last year in Spokane.

People without personal connection to the people involved may know only the statistics.

“What difference does the Holocaust make to you or me?” he asked. “It is a question we have to ask ourselves next time we say we believe in world peace or even in a safer community.” 

Memorials help people remember, he said, wondering if more people would take a more active role in their community if there were memorials for every school shooting, drunk-driving fatality or assault.

For him, the memorial represents “respect and gratitude we have for those who survived a hell we cannot begin to imagine.  The memorial is a testament to those who perished at the hands of fellow human beings,” Jody continued.

“It was not just my grandparents who eluded death’s icy grip but it was your grandparents, too—your brother, your sister, your mother, your father and anyone you ever knew, who was murdered by the Nazis.

“Until we recognize that the only barrier between you and me, between us and them, is the hate we foster in our hearts, we will continue to be apathetic toward atrocities we allow our fellow human beings to commit,” he said.

“This memorial is a call to action. The Holocaust could not have occurred without the cooperation of ordinary citizens who operated the cattle cars and gas chambers.  This memorial is a reminder of how vulnerable we are.

“We can never erect enough memorials or hold enough remembrance services to accomplish our goal of tolerance,” Jody said. “This memorial represents an idealistic mission that will never be fulfilled in our lifetimes.

“However, through the pursuit of this potentially unachievable dream, real progress is made.  While those who hate will continue to hate, it is up to us, the open-minded and accepting, to educate those who do not know history’s tragic nature. This memorial will be useless unless its existence is used as an inspiration for education and action.”

Jody hopes that in the future, his grandchildren will not feel detached from the Holocaust, but will feel the same obligation he feels and will open their minds and hearts to those who suffer and have suffered.

“It is our obligation to do everything in our power to prevent hate from spreading and to finance, promote and support more education, observances and memorials,” he said.  “We can shout ‘never again’ 6 million times, but without action, we will accomplish nothing.  We must learn from the past to improve the present and protect the future.”

By Mary Stamp, Fig Tree editor - Copyright © June 2005