Holocaust Survivor George Rishfeld Teaches Hope at Georgia School

When George Rishfeld walked into Campbell High School in Cobb County, Georgia, he carried more than memories. He brought a living history lesson that no textbook could match.

The 86-year-old Holocaust survivor spent an afternoon with students, families, and staff sharing his story of survival. At just 3 years old, Rishfeld was rescued and hidden by a Catholic family who sheltered him for nearly four years while his parents survived elsewhere.

"The reason I survived was because of a Catholic family that saved me," Rishfeld told the assembled crowd. For more than three years, silence and secrecy kept him alive in their apartment.

The visit came together thanks to Maxwell Zhiss, president of Campbell High School's Jewish Cultural Club. He understood the urgency of connecting students with survivors while the opportunity still exists.

"Holocaust survivors won't be here forever, and that's a sad thing to think about," Zhiss said. "But it's important that while we still have the opportunity to have people who went through such a dark time, history can live on."

Students listened intently as Rishfeld moved beyond his survival story to talk about responsibility. His message was clear: remembering the past shapes our ability to build a better future.

"We're never going to stop antisemitism because it goes back to the Romans," Rishfeld said. "But we have to get it under better control, and the only way to do that is through education."

Why This Inspires

This wasn't just a history lesson. It was a call to action wrapped in compassion.

Rishfeld challenged students to carry what they learned beyond school walls. "I hope that first they learn something, and second of all, they go out into the street and into their lives fighting exactly what I'm fighting," he said.

Students asked questions, made connections between past and present, and saw firsthand how individual courage can change the world. Parents witnessed the power of bringing community voices into educational spaces.

The event showed what student leadership looks like when young people take initiative to create meaningful learning experiences. Through their efforts, they didn't just invite a speaker; they preserved living history and sparked conversations that will continue long after the day ended.

Teachers noted how the program aligned perfectly with classroom goals while building character and empathy. Students got to experience history rather than just read about it.

By welcoming George Rishfeld to campus, Campbell High School gave students something rare: a chance to hear courage speak, to understand resilience, and to carry forward the responsibility of remembering.