Holocaust Survivor, 89, Shares Lessons And Memories With Hoboken Kids

HOBOKEN, NJ —When Marion Blumenthal Lazan was much younger than the kids at Hoboken Middle School are now, she and her family had to leave home to flee the rising Nazi regime. Ultimately they ended up in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

She and co-author Lila Perl wrote a memoir called Four Perfect Pebbles: A True Story of the Holocaust, chronicling her childhood experiences.

Recently, Lazan visited Hoboken Middle School to share her first-hand account of living under a murderous regime.

Few Survivors Left

Such first-hand accounts are becoming scarce: Lazan is 89 years old, and most people who have memories of World War II have passed away.

The Hoboken schools said, "The visit marked the culmination of an immersive unit in the school's English Language Arts and Social Studies curricula. Students spent a few weeks reading Four Perfect Pebbles."

The book tells how the family wound up in Bergen Belsen, a camp where many prisoners died of disease or starvation.

"The memoir’s title, Four Perfect Pebbles, symbolizes the four stones Marion would search for each day in the camp, representing her hope that each of her family members would survive. This small act became a coping mechanism that allowed her to hold onto faith and optimism amid despair."

Lazan answered student questions.

“It’s crucial that we remember the past to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated,” said Principal Ryan Sorafine. “I hope that Mrs. Blumenthal Lazan’s story helps our students understand the importance of tolerance, empathy, and standing up for justice."

Students engaged in a range of activities designed to deepen their connection to Marion’s story and the historical context of the Holocaust. Students created representations of the four pebbles, embodying hope, perseverance, and survival.

“I’m so grateful I was able to hear Marion’s story directly from her,” said Fifi D., an eighth grader. “Learning about her life has made everything
we’ve studied feel so much more real and important. I’ll carry her story with me for the rest of my life.”

Marion Blumenthal Lazan’s visit reflects Hoboken Middle School’s commitment to fostering understanding and awareness of human rights and the Holocaust.

"The Social Studies department has a longstanding dedication to teaching complex and critical histories," said the district.

“We are deeply honored that Marion Blumenthal Lazan could join us today,” said social studies teacher Andrea Eberhard. "It’s a privilege for them to learn directly from someone who has lived through such significant history and yet remains committed to educating others.”