simon gronowski • tmf educator

Photographer Ksenia Kuleshova captured Mr. Gronowski in this poignant image. She graciously shared it with TMF. It originally appeared in a New York Times article about Mr. Gronowski.

Survivor Simon Gronowski joined us in the spring of 2021 to present TMF Education programs via Zoom, from his home in Belgium. He made headlines last year when he performed jazz piano from his window to uplift his neighbors during the pandemic lockdown.

Mr. Gronowski first joined us April 28 for an education program at The Waldorf School. He told the story of how he survived after escaping alone at age eleven from an Auschwitz-bound cattle car. The students asked: "How did you remain an optimist?" Because, he explained, of the intense love of his family in his early childhood, and the musical life he cultivated to honor his sister, a pianist, who died in Auschwitz. His story and outlook made a great impact on the middle-school students, and now, as he told them, "you join me in bearing witness."

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student reactions • in their own words

• The story Simon told to our class was profound, and it will stay with me forever.
• Simon’s positivity has inspired me, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.  The way he spoke truly touched my heart.
• Although Simon’s tragic tale brought tears to my eyes, I am deeply honored to have heard and learned from him.  He truly is a beam of sunshine glowing through the dark clouds of the Holocaust.
• Even though the Holocaust is such an incredibly tragic event, I was inspired by what Simon said, and by how brave he is.  Once again, thank you for brightening my day, and I hope you continue to spread your message to many others, young and old.
• Simon’s story was so impactful and amazing to hear.
• The fact that so many people in Terezin continued to make art together even though they were suffering, is amazing. 
• I am so grateful we were able to meet Simon and hear his story.
• Simon’s story really touched me.  I was amazed at his bravery and nobility. It was an honor to hear him speak to me and my class.
• Hearing these stories definitely gave me more perspective.
• I thought this was a very informational presentation and I am so grateful that we were able to hear Simon’s story firsthand.  What Simon and Mr. Ludwig are doing is so good for the citizens of the world, especially now that there are people who believe it never happened.  I am so, so, so grateful that they were able to talk to us.
• Simon’s story has touched my heart.  The detailed description of the train brought tears to my eyes.  His shining positivity was inspiring, and he helped me grow as a person.  I am truly grateful to have been lucky enough to hear him speak.
• In the presentation I learned how resilient one can be, and that a positive outlook is possible.
• I am very glad that Simon shared his story with us.  It was interesting and I learned from Simon that it is important to always have hope.
• I feel like one of the most important things that I learned is to always have optimism and resilience, because that will help you get through difficult situations in your life.
• Something that stayed with me is that someone cut up their cello so that they could bring it into the concentration camp.  I’m glad that they could find small joys in music and performances.
• The presentation was so interesting, and I loved hearing the stories of Simon’s life and the stories of how the musicians risked their lives to bring their instruments to Terezin.
• I would like the presenters to know how moving the presentation was.  I want them to know that I will be forever grateful for what they have shared with us. 
• It was so inspiring to hear Simon’s story and I’m very lucky to have heard it.  If I were Simon, I would have been terrified, but he said he was not afraid, which is incredible.
• Something that stayed with me is the play that was put on by the children of Terezin. But it was heartbreaking to learn that almost all of those children were killed soon after the performance.
• The most important thing that I learned from the presentation is that we can never forget or deny the Holocaust.
• I felt very sad, but also inspired by Simon, and at times, I was humored by his jokes.
• I want Mark and Simon to know how thankful I am for their great presentation.
• My heart hurt in a way that I wanted so badly to help every single person who had to experience such hatred.  I wanted to do the undoable and change the past.
• Something that stuck with me would be the concerts that they had in Terezin, and the different ways people smuggled in their instruments.  Like the person who cut their cello up into many small pieces, just for the joy of playing music
• The presentation made me realize how powerful music can be, if only you decide to use it.
• I want Simon to know that that I think it is very brave and noble to talk about the horrors he endured. 
• Something that stayed with me from Mr. Ludwig’s presentation was the power of the music in Terezin.  It must have been such a beacon of light and hope among all of the unthinkable atrocities that the people in the camp were experiencing.
• I think that hearing Simon’s account of the Holocaust, as an actual witness, was so important.  Nowadays, there is a lot of misinformation and I will most definitely tell others about what Mr. Ludwig and Mr. Gronowski told me.
• To the presenters – I am so grateful that you are doing such a hard, but important job.  Teaching about the Holocaust is the key to preventing history from repeating itself.
• Your account of your experiences moved me to tears and I thank you for trusting me and my classmates enough to share it with us.
• The number of children who died in the Holocaust is a travesty, but knowing they had the joy of experiencing music and working together to create the play, Brundibar, their form of resistance against Hitler, shows that even in dark times they could still find joy.
• Simon’s story brought tears to my eyes.  He is an inspiration to all who meet him because of his optimistic and kind personality.  Although his journey was heartbreaking, I am honored to have heard and talked about the tragedies he has overcome in his lifetime.
• I am unimaginably thankful for all the work the presenters do.  Educating young people like me is the key to remembering the mistakes of our past, and making sure nothing like this ever happens again. 

Thank you so much, Mark and Simon, for the wonderful presentation!  The students, and the teachers who were present, were all deeply touched, and at times, moved to tears.  We are so grateful.