CHANDLER, Ariz. — A 98-year-old Valley Holocaust survivor made history at Chandler High School, becoming the oldest graduate to receive a diploma, which was in his case, an honorary diploma. It was a touching experience that meant so much.
“It was so heartwarming, so different, so refreshing,” said Oskar Knoblauch, reflecting on the incredible milestone, which happened on May 20.
“I was in tears,” Knoblauch said. “…because I realized that I was really appreciated... I was being accepted.”
The recognition highlights Knoblauch’s strong passion for educating our youth, advocating for ‘No Place for Hate’ and his work with the Arizona Jewish Historical Society.
“He was a survivor with a very unique perspective of the Holocaust,” said Anthony Fusco, the Associate Director of Education for the Arizona Jewish Historical Society.
Fusco looks at Knoblauch as a mentor and knows his story well.
“He lived and breathed with the perpetrator,” Fusco said. “He was in the Gestapo headquarters in Pomorska, which was a labor camp which was in Poland.”
“Luckily, he escaped eight months before liberation,” said Fusco. “…but his dad was taken.”
“I suffered a lot, mentally, physically,” said Knoblauch.
But Knoblauch is truly the definition of resilience.
“I maintained my self-composure as a human being throughout all this, what the Germans were putting on my shoulders… I never caved in,” he said.
Knoblauch was not able to attend high school or a significant portion of his education, due to the Holocaust. So, even though he never graduated from any school, now he can say he has, all thanks to his granddaughter coordinating with Chandler High School.
“I did graduate from high school,” said Knoblauch. “It was unbelievable... it will stay with me forever.”
For more than 17 years, Knoblauch has been teaching at Chandler schools and through organizations across the globe, sharing the importance of remembering the Holocaust.
Currently, Knoblauch has a hologram at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, where students visiting the center can experience an interactive biography of Knoblauch.
“He was selected for the Shoah Foundation’s Dimensions in Testimony, which is the holographic technology,” said Fusco.
With state-of-the-art technology, students will be able to ask Knoblauch’s image more than 1,000 real-time questions related to his Holocaust experience.
“It’s 54 survivors that have sat for it,” said Fusco. “We’re lucky to have a local survivor that has been included in the technology.”
Today, Knoblauch continues his mission, asking people to speak up when they see anyone being bullied or harassed. He challenges others to be loving and kind.
“Take an hour, go to a school, go to a retirement home, read a book, a story to someone,” said Knoblauch. “There’s always someone who needs something. You don’t have to spend money on it, just your time.”
For more information about the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, go to: AZJHS.org.
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