++ 9-year-old Pupil at the school interviews Holocaust survivor – her own great grandmother ++
A pupil at a school in London has interviewed her own great grandmother, who is a Holocaust survivor, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) with her fellow pupils.
Hampton Court House (HCH), an all through school, commemorated HMD today by sharing a deeply personal and moving account from a survivor of one of history’s darkest periods.
The school screened a video entitled “Inge’s Story”, featuring the remarkable recollections of Inge Berger, a Holocaust survivor, and the great-grandmother of two HCH students.
The presentation began with an emotional introduction by Inge’s grandson, Michael Bahar, and included a heartfelt discussion between Inge and her 9-year-old great-granddaughter, Rose Bahar, as well as closing remarks from her 6-year-old great-grandson, Joshua Bahar—both of whom attend Hampton Court House.
The video, shown to all students from Year 4 upwards, offers an intimate and poignant exploration of Inge’s life, including her experiences during the Holocaust. At 100 years old, Inge reflects on her resilience, survival, and the enduring power of hope.
Inge’s story captures key moments in history, from the harrowing events of Kristallnacht in November 1938 and her family’s imprisonment in Theresienstadt camp in 1942 to her liberation by Russian troops in 1945. She also recounts meeting her future husband, Samuel Berger, in the camps, and the life they built together post-war.
By connecting the past to the present through a personal story, “Inge’s Story” underscores the importance of preserving historical memory. The video itself can be seen here, whilst Inge’s full life story was recorded in the book ‘Roses in a Forbidden Garden’ by Elise Garibaldi.
This initiative serves as a powerful reminder of the need to educate future generations about the Holocaust and the significance of resilience and humanity in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Katherine Vintiner, principal at Hampton Court House remarked:
“This moving account highlights the importance of ensuring that history is never forgotten. Sharing Inge’s incredible journey with our students fosters understanding and empathy, while reinforcing the value of passing personal stories down through generations.”
“For our pupils to hear a first-hand account of life in the Second World War, and survival of the Holocaust, is a unique experience. Inge’s messages of hope, resilience and fortitude are something that will certainly stay with our pupils for years to come”.
The screening of “Inge’s Story” provided a memorable and impactful way for Hampton Court House students to engage with Holocaust history, ensuring its lessons remain a vital part of their education.
