On December 21, 1939 in Czernowitz, Bukonovia, the Steigmann family welcomed a new member, Sammi Steigmann. During the time Sammi was born, there was great tension in the once Austro-Hungarian empire. A world war was evolving, with the Jewish citizens of Germany being blamed for the inflation and struggles Germany handled after the ending of World War 1. Countries near Germany were uncertain as to what the future would look like, and how the Jews would be impacted. Though he has no recollection of this, about two years after Sammi’s birth, his family and him were deported to a labor camp called Mogilev-Podolsky. In this camp, Sammi was a part of unimaginable horrors. Due to the fact that Sammi was still a baby, he was unable to work. Therefore, the Nazi party decided to subject Sammi to medical experiments. The experiments performed are unknown, and have left Sammi with permanent consequences. Life in the labor camp was quite challenging, Sammi faced starvation, extreme weather, and much more. During one occasion, Steigmann was dying of starvation and was nearing death each day. A German woman who worked at a nearby farm discovered this and saved his life by offering Sammi cow’s milk. Eventually, the camp was liberated by the Red Army and Sammi went on to emigrate to Israel, serve in the Israeli Air Force, travel the world, and settle in the United States.

When Pelham Middle School heard about Sammi’s story, they wanted him to speak to the students about his experience in the Holocaust during that specific unit. Sammi gladly accepted, and has been speaking to the public for many years. During the presentation, Sammi Stegmann shared many important concepts. In the beginning, students discussed the Holocaust in great depth. For example, Steigmann explained the difference between genocide and the Holocaust. Furthermore, Steigmann said we must reflect on the events that happened during the time period, and truly understand the methodical way Hitler persecuted many Jewish people throughout Europe, so this event will never happen again. Sammi shared with students that unfortunately, he has faced many hardships in life besides the Holocaust. Steigmann told the story about the relationship with his son and how his son has cut off all contact with him after a messy divorce. This event can be devastating to a parent, however Sammi chose to forgive his son and move on. Nextly, Sammi currently lives below the poverty line in New York City, one of the most expensive cities in the world. Instead of grieving his situation and the fact that he was once homeless, Sammi has decided his main goal in life is to be happy and put smiles on the faces of others. Overall, Sammi Steigmann is a very impactful man who shares his story of the Holocaust with others, in hopes to spread education.