Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Ilse Stern, Z''L, was my fourth grade social studies teacher at Woodstock Elementary School.
Ilse once told me that her father was a friend of the mayor of their town in Germany. The mayor came to their home one afternoon and told them that the Nazis were planning a pogrom the following day, and that all adult Jewish males in the town were going to be deported. He told them to take what money and valuables they could hide in their pockets - and nothing else - and go to the movies. From the movie theater, he told them to go to the train station and go to Switzerland. They must not take any luggage or anything that might cause anyone to become suspicious that they were fleeing. This is what her family did, and they survived. Elie Wiesel said "Whoever listens to a witness, becomes a witness," so now we must keep these stories alive, especially as we witness a horrifying global increase in anti-Jewish violence.
Ilse was a true teacher, one endowed with the kind of wisdom that could only come from witnessing the most horrible crimes humanity ever committed. But it is her warm smile and infectious joy that I remember. She was a dear friend. I hope her daughters realize that she had a profound impact on many, many people.
May her memory be for a blessing, and may G-d comfort her family and friends among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
