If You Heard What I Heard

If You Heard What I Heard

If You Heard What I Heard is a nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting the stories of the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, the last generation to hear survivor stories firsthand. We create modern Holocaust media that humanizes the history of the Holocaust, drives empathy, and inspires action to stand up to antisemitism in all forms. Listen to the powerful stories, and what their survival and resilience means for all of us today. Join us in honoring these survivors and taking action to fight antisemitism in all forms.    If you heard what I heard, you would never forget, and you would do everything possible to make sure what happened to our grandparents and their families never happens again. To learn more about our work and ways you can support, please visit ifyouheardwhatiheard.com, and check back here every Tuesday for new Podcast episodes and content!

  1. 04/15/2025

    Fierce Love and a Loud Legacy: Shelley Silver on Generational Resilience

    Shelley Silver, founder and CEO of Autumn Communications and mother of two, shares the extraordinary legacy of her grandmother Dora, a Holocaust survivor whose courage and tenacity shaped Shelley’s values and fire. Dora’s miraculous survival—scaling fences under Nazi gunfire and outwitting guards with grit and ingenuity—laid the foundation for Shelley’s fierce resilience, outspoken leadership, and deep commitment to Jewish identity. In this emotional and unfiltered conversation, Shelley reflects on the aftermath of October 7th, the generational trauma that resurfaced, and her own stunned paralysis as the world’s response unfolded. What followed was a total shift: from quiet grief to unapologetic advocacy. Whether through raising her daughters with strong Jewish pride, supporting IDF soldiers with her husband’s hands-on volunteering, or cutting ties with longtime friends over moral lines, Shelley refuses to stay silent. She shares how her grandmother’s strength lives in every action she takes—from standing up to antisemitism on college campuses to boldly wearing her Jewish star at trade shows. Shelley’s voice is one of love, anger, clarity, and action—pushing back against silence and calling others to speak up, show up, and never forget. This conversation is a raw testament to inherited strength, the fight for visibility, and the unshakable power of Jewish joy in the face of rising hate. Shelley’s story is not only one of survival—but of defiance, remembrance, and enduring pride. Support the show A glossary is available for any terms mentioned in this episode that may require further context. If you're interested in sponsoring an episode, please email us at info@ifyouheardwhatiheard.com Please visit www.ifyouheardwhatiheard.com to watch more stories and support.

    32 min
  2. 04/08/2025

    Stories That Survive: How Sharing the Past Strengthens Jewish Identity

    Molly R. Stern, celebrated Hollywood makeup artist and devoted mother of three, shares the powerful story of her grandparents, Frank and Magda Stern, Holocaust survivors whose resilience has shaped her identity. Growing up as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Molly reflects on how her family’s past was ever-present in her life — a reality she openly embraces and proudly discusses in any setting. In this conversation, Molly recounts the transformative experience of diving deeper into her family’s history for her interview with If You Heard What I Heard. Through heartfelt conversations with her father, she uncovered previously unknown details of her grandparents’ survival, from the dangers her grandfather faced as a forced laborer in the Hungarian army to the unimaginable resilience that kept them alive. Molly describes how this deeper understanding has shifted her perspective from simply acknowledging her family’s past to actively honoring it by sharing their story. Amid the rising tide of antisemitism, Molly reflects on the importance of standing proud in her Jewish identity and using her voice to combat hatred. She shares her father’s stoic perspective on today’s challenges and how his lived experience serves as a grounding reminder of the ongoing need to remember and speak out. Through her work with If You Heard What I Heard and her daughter Vivian’s passionate storytelling, Molly ensures her family’s legacy endures. This conversation highlights the enduring power of resilience, the responsibility of remembrance, and the importance of allies in the fight against antisemitism. Molly’s story is a moving testament to the strength of Holocaust survivors and their descendants, who carry forward their legacy with pride, hope, and a commitment to ensuring these stories are never forgotten. Molly shares the story of her grandparents, Frank and Magda Stern, Hungarian Jews who were forced to live in a ghetto and narrowly escaped death by Nazi soldiers numerous times here Support the show A glossary is available for any terms mentioned in this episode that may require further context. If you're interested in sponsoring an episode, please email us at info@ifyouheardwhatiheard.com Please visit www.ifyouheardwhatiheard.com to watch more stories and support.

    38 min
  3. 03/11/2025

    Living in the Light with Adina Schlass

    Adina Schlass shares how being the granddaughter of Holocaust survivor Sam Moss shapes her identity and approach to Jewish life today. Her grandfather was not only a survivor but also a community builder who helped establish the Jewish community in Sydney, was involved with Israeli politics, and maintained friendships with prominent figures. This legacy instilled in Adina a deep sense of Jewish pride that has only grown stronger following the October 7th attacks. In the wake of rising antisemitism and violence against Jewish people, Adina reflects on what it means to be "loud and proud" about her Judaism. She describes a profound shift from cultural Judaism to a more spiritual, intentional connection with her faith. This includes embracing daily prayers, finding meaning in traditions like Shabbat, and creating sensory memories for her children through the comforting smells of chicken soup and freshly baked sourdough that fill their home each Friday. Adina's powerful commitment to Jewish community was highlighted when she hosted Shabbat dinners for Nova festival survivors and hostage families. During one of these gatherings, she experienced an extraordinary moment when she met the granddaughter of Oscar Heller—the man who had saved her grandfather's life in the Holocaust. This full-circle connection represents the resilience that flows through generations of Jewish people who refuse to be silenced. As Adina shares, "This is our Judaism. This is our story. We are standing in the middle of history." Adina shares the story of her grandfather, Sam Moss, who was from a religious, observant family in Munkacs, Hungary before the Holocaust. Adina shares how Sam and his family did not have many warning signs, and how their normal, everyday lives as Jews seemingly overnight here.  Support the show A glossary is available for any terms mentioned in this episode that may require further context. If you're interested in sponsoring an episode, please email us at info@ifyouheardwhatiheard.com Please visit www.ifyouheardwhatiheard.com to watch more stories and support.

    44 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

If You Heard What I Heard is a nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting the stories of the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, the last generation to hear survivor stories firsthand. We create modern Holocaust media that humanizes the history of the Holocaust, drives empathy, and inspires action to stand up to antisemitism in all forms. Listen to the powerful stories, and what their survival and resilience means for all of us today. Join us in honoring these survivors and taking action to fight antisemitism in all forms.    If you heard what I heard, you would never forget, and you would do everything possible to make sure what happened to our grandparents and their families never happens again. To learn more about our work and ways you can support, please visit ifyouheardwhatiheard.com, and check back here every Tuesday for new Podcast episodes and content!