Holocaust survivor tells his story to Woodland Middle School students

Woodland Middle School students in Gurnee received a lesson Tuesday from a man who survived the Holocaust.

Aaron Elster, vice president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, spoke to students about surviving Nazi-controlled Poland.

Elster avoided detection from the Nazis when he was 10 by hiding an attic for almost two years.

He ultimately was smuggled out of the country and sent to the United States.

He said he and other refugees had opportunities to succeed in America and in doing so helped make the country great.

In 2012, Elster received the Heritage Award from Stevenson High School. It is given annually to people who have made a significant impact on Lincolnshire-based Stevenson District 125.

Elster has spoken often at Stevenson about what it was like to be a child caught in the Holocaust. from

Students are affected not only by his story, but also by his message of hope, perseverance and respect for humanity.