How has being the child of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor shaped the way Monica Mendel views the world? In this episode, Chosen For What? host Tommy Schnurmacher speaks with Monica Mendel, a second-generation Holocaust survivor whose life has been profoundly shaped by her parents’ wartime experiences in Hungary. Monica shares the moving story of her family’s survival, the silence that often surrounded those memories, and the emotional journey of uncovering the details later in life.
Together, Tommy and Monica explore how growing up with parents who survived the Holocaust can influence everything from identity and values to parenting styles and worldviews. They discuss the importance of Holocaust education, the responsibility of descendants to preserve memory, and the lessons that can help prevent future atrocities. Monica’s reflections offer a deeply personal perspective on resilience, remembrance, and the bonds of family.
