In the premiere episode of Chosen For What?, host Tommy Schnurmacher sits down with Barbara Cieply, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, to explore how her family’s history of loss, resilience, and survival has shaped her life.

Through Barbara’s story, we gain an in-depth, personal understanding of why Holocaust education is so important; not just to remember the millions of Jews who were murdered, but to ensure that future generations learn from the past and stand against hate and violence in all its forms.

Barbara shares just how her parents’ remarkable journey, from surviving Nazi-occupied Poland to rebuilding their lives in a new country, impacted her upbringing and outlook, as well as the ripple effects that followed.

Barbara reflects on the unspoken trauma passed down through the generations, the cultural and emotional challenges of growing up in a Holocaust survivor household, and how she’s found ways to honour her family’s legacy.

This candid conversation offers insight into how Holocaust survivors coped and rebuilt their lives after the genocide , and how their stories can inspire today’s fight against hatred and intolerance.

Chosen For What? is brought to you by the Foundation for Genocide Education, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student understands the history and lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides.

To learn more about their work, or to make a donation, please visit GenEd.org.