More Than One Kind of Survivor
Holocaust survivor meets homeless teens to share experiences.
Holocaust survivor Bebe Forehand recently shared her story of survival and offered hope to homeless teens from ChopArt at a week-long camp at the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum.
Like Anne Frank, Forehand was hidden away from the Nazis in an attic in Belgium. A family friend brought food, books and reading materials to her family while in hiding. She survived along with her mother, father, grandfather and brother. Other Holocaust survivors and educators also spoke with the ChopArt campers.
“Our young women learned that they are not the only ‘survivors,’” said Malika Whitley, ChopArt founder and CEO, who was homeless for 10 years from age 6 to 16. “The girls discovered that Jewish people had also survived discrimination and near destruction.”
ChopArt helps homeless youth ages 10 to 18 express themselves through art. In Atlanta, ChopArt works with kids to build coping skills, self-esteem and hope for the future.
Participants in the “From Generation to Generation” camp July 16 to 20 created a ‘zine of poetry, drawings and photography titled “Dear Black Girl,” inspired by Forehand’s discussion. The art project expressed their determination to find strength to survive, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta reported in a recent newsletter.
The summer camp is part of ongoing programs offered throughout the year for children. Every Sunday, The Breman offers a series of Holocaust speakers in its “Bearing Witness” program.
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