Marion B. Lazan!

Welcome to the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we have a heavy but important topic as we talk about Holocaust survivor, Marion B. Lazan.

Marion Blumenthal Lazan’s life story is one of extraordinary resilience and determination. Born in Bremen, Germany in 1934, Marion and her Jewish family faced increasing persecution as the Nazi regime came to power. Her parents, hoping to escape to the United States, moved the family to the Netherlands while waiting for their U.S. visas. However, when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands in 1940, the Blumenthals were trapped and eventually sent to a series of prison and concentration camps, including the notorious Bergen-Belsen.

Marion spent over six years in these camps under horrific conditions, enduring starvation, illness, and the constant threat of death. She was only a child, yet she held on to hope through a simple ritual; searching for four perfect pebbles of similar size. In her young mind, these pebbles came to represent the survival of her family: mother, father, brother, and herself. Sadly, her father died of typhus shortly after they were liberated in 1945. Despite the trauma, Marion, her mother, and brother eventually made their way to the United States in 1948.

Once in the U.S., Marion worked hard to build a new life. She adapted quickly to her new environment, excelling in school and graduating high school in just two years. She later married and raised a family, but never forgot her past. Determined to honor the memory of those who suffered and died during the Holocaust, Marion began speaking publicly about her experiences, educating generations about the dangers of hatred and the importance of tolerance and understanding.

Marion co-authored the memoir “Four Perfect Pebbles”, which tells the story of her family’s ordeal during the Holocaust and has been read by students across the world. For decades, she dedicated her time to speaking at schools, libraries, and community events, touching the lives of countless individuals with her powerful message of hope and perseverance. Marion Blumenthal Lazan’s legacy lives on through her book, her teachings, and the deep impact she made by sharing her truth with the world.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Marion B. Lazan: To always be kind and compassionate towards one another. That is the base for peace.

Thank you for reading today’s article! We will see you next week with another awesome one!

-Giancarlo