Video: Holocaust Survivor Rena Quint's Story of Survival

Every Birthright Israel experience incorporates a meaningful and well-contextualized encounter with the Shoah (Holocaust, from the Hebrew word for “catastrophe”), introducing its place in Jewish life and Israel and its relation to the Jewish narrative in today’s world.

Many groups learn about the Holocaust by visiting Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. While at Yad Vashem or another approved Shoah heritage site, Birthright Israel groups also hear a personal testimony from a Holocaust survivor and may even meet a survivor in person like Rena Quint, featured in the video below. Rena is a child survivor and a volunteer at Yad Vashem. She shares her story of survival with hundreds of Birthright Israel groups each year.

Rena Quint's Testimony

After hearing Rena speak, many participants ask her questions, and an emotional discussion occurs. “Never Again” becomes the theme of the conversation for participants when they explore the connection with the Holocaust and issues concerning today’s antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

Birthright Israel is fortunate to have Rena share her story with our participants. We know meeting her forever impacts them.