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In Episode 143 of Raised by Survivors, Dr. Bernie Furshpan welcomes Sid Waxman, a dedicated museum educator and second-generation Holocaust survivor, to explore how Sid transformed his own family’s silent past into a mission of education and empathy. After years of “hiding” his background, Sid shares what finally inspired him to delve into his parents’ experiences—piecing together survivor stories from neighborhood gatherings in Boston, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn—and why he’s been guiding thousands of students through the Center’s galleries since 2004.

Throughout their conversation, Sid and Bernie reflect on the small, everyday legacies of the Holocaust: the comforting aroma of kishka and chulent on a Brooklyn kitchen stove, the ritual of meticulously cleaning work tools until they gleamed, and the weekend trips to the Catskills where laughter became its own form of survival. Sid reveals how these family traditions taught him gratitude, respect for people and possessions, and an unwavering commitment to community.

You’ll also hear about Sid’s most memorable tours—like the group of Catholic school students who, encountering survivor testimony for the first time, were moved to tears and hugs—and his vision for keeping younger generations engaged in Holocaust remembrance. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why personal storytelling remains our strongest tool against indifference, and how each of us can play a part in ensuring the phrase “never again” is more than just a slogan. Tune in for a deeply human conversation about memory, resilience, and the power of sharing our histories.

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