Holocaust Survivor Shares Story at Portsmouth Remembrance

When Janet Applefield takes the stage to share her story, rooms fall silent. On April 12, the Holocaust survivor did exactly that at Temple Israel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, speaking to a full audience gathered for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The evening began with a solemn ceremony led by Rich LeSavoy, a longtime Temple Israel leader. Attendees lit memorial candles, recited the kaddish prayer of mourning, and observed a moment of silence for the six million who perished.

Dr. Ira Schwartz, a Temple Israel member, displayed his collection of Holocaust artifacts now housed at Keene State University. The primary artifacts gave attendees a tangible connection to the history being honored.

Then Applefield shared her testimony. She described her childhood in wartime Europe, the fear and displacement her family endured, and her eventual journey to freedom.

"I tell my story so that it is never forgotten," Applefield said. "And so that the world will understand what hatred, left unchecked, can do to human beings."

Her words resonated beyond the Jewish community. Members of a neighboring Christian congregation attended to listen and show support, demonstrating how remembrance brings people together.

The Ripple Effect

After her address, Applefield signed copies of her memoir as attendees lined up to meet her. Many brought children and grandchildren, passing the responsibility of remembrance to the next generation.

These personal conversations create living connections to history. As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, events like this ensure their testimonies continue shaping how we understand our past and protect our future.

Organizers emphasized the urgency of bearing witness while survivors can still share their stories firsthand. Each testimony becomes a shield against denial and a reminder of humanity's capacity for both cruelty and resilience.

"Yom HaShoah asks us not to look away," one organizer said. "It asks us to hold grief alongside hope."

Through shared testimony and collective reflection, the Portsmouth community proved that remembrance is an active choice, one that grows stronger when we make it together.