Visit of Tomi Reichental to Athboy C.S.
Tomi Reichental, a holocaust survivor, visited Athboy Community our school on Thursday May 23rd. For two hours, he spoke to the to the whole school community of pupils, teachers, members of the Board of Management as well as some parents and members of the wider community in the school gymnasium.
Tomi was born in Piestany, Slovakia in 1935. He has lived in Ireland since 1959 and in the past few years has written books like the acclaimed ‘I Was a Boy in Belsen’, participated in TV documentaries, films and generally raised awareness of the holocaust and the plight of the Jews in Europe during the war.
He was captured by the Nazis in 1944 and was sent to Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in Northern Germany aged only nine. Liberated on the 15th of April 1945 by the British, he survived along with his mother, older brother Miki, his Aunt and his cousin. They were later reunited with his father. However, thirty five members of his family perished during this time, including his beloved Grandmother.
Tomi delivered a fascinating lecture about his childhood in Slovakia, life under German occupation and his time spent in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. At the core of his talk was the message that the holocaust did not start with a bang, it started quietly with whispers, innuendo and suspicion. In today’s world he urged the students not to tolerate bullying of any kind and to embrace all people equally. This was followed by an enthusiastic questions and answers session. The afternoon ended with rapturous applause for Tomi who absolutely enthralled the audience with his stories and his courage. He had time for everybody both before and after the lecture, signing books and chatting with students, staff and well-wishers.
This very special event was coordinated by teacher Miss Colette Kane and the school would like to put on record its thanks to her and to Tomi for making the trip down from Dublin to share his experiences with the school community.
After the lecture Tomi was presented with a portrait by past pupil Ellen Kane. The portrait was presented by Slovakian student in Athboy C.S. Zsofia Farkasova and Angelina Bartosevic.
Tomi Reichental pictured with Tom O’Dowd (Deputy Principal), school Prefects and Anthony Leavy (Principal)
Zsofia Farkasova, whose family come from Slovakia, speaks with Tomi Reichental prior to his address to the school community
Zsofia Farkasova and Angelina Bartosevic present a portrait painted by past pupil Ellen Kane after his talk
Ellen Kane pictured with Tomi Reichental and her portrait to mark his visit to Athboy Community School
The First Year Class pictured with their Year Head Ms Ita Taite and Tomi Reichental during his visit to Athboy Community School