In the premiere episode of Chosen For What?, host Tommy Schnurmacher sits down with Barbara Cieply, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, to explore how her family’s history of loss, resilience, and survival has shaped her life.
She candidly shares stories of her parents’ strength in surviving the complete eradication of their families, their ability to still find joy together, and the lasting fears that have crept into her own life as a parent of two sons. Barbara also reflects on the unspoken trauma passed down through the generations, the challenges of growing up in a Holocaust survivor household, and how she’s found ways to honour her family’s legacy.
In one striking moment, she describes a simple workplace conversation that exposed how differently she views safety and identity, a perspective shaped by inherited trauma and the rise of antisemitism today.
Many people still ask, “Why is Holocaust education important?” The answer lies in its power to connect the past to the present. Learning about genocide helps students understand the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, and indifference — issues that continue to affect the world today. Holocaust education is not only about remembering how many Jews died; it’s about understanding how ordinary people can either stand up for what’s right or remain silent in the face of injustice.
Holocaust survivors are aging, and their firsthand accounts are becoming rarer. Podcasts like Chosen For What?, along with the other work of The Foundation for Genocide Education, ensure their voices live on. By teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides, we give new generations the tools to recognize hate before it escalates, to build empathy across differences, and to preserve truth in an era of misinformation.
