Upcoming and Past Presentations 

As a teacher, writer, and daughter of Holocaust survivor Joseph Horn, Sandy Rubenstein presents her father's survival story to students, teachers, and audiences throughout the country. By speaking in schools, libraries, museums, and to inter-faith groups, she integrates history, her father's video clips, and his personal story of courage, inspiring young people and others to stand up against today's hate, bigotry, and genocide. 

Date	Location	Time
May 10, 2010	Bergenfield High School 80 So. Prospect Avenue Bergenfield, NJ 07621	9:00 AM
April 1, 2010	Northern Highlands Regional High School 298 Hillside Avenue Allendale, NJ 07401	9:40 AM
March 26, 2010	Vaughn Next Century Learning Center 13330 Vaughn Street San Fernando, CA 91340	10:00 AM
March 25, 2010	Washington Middle School 1450 Cedar Avenue Long Beach, CA 90813	8:00 AM
March 24, 2010	University Synagogue 3400 Michaelson Drive Irvine, CA 92612	4:00-5:30
March 22, 2010	Mother of Sorrows School 100 W. 87 Pl Los Angeles, CA 90003	10:00 AM
February 23, 2010	Rocco Laurie Intermediate School 33 Ferndale Avenue Staten Island, NY 10314	10:00 AM
Monday, Oct. 26, 2009	Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley 87 Overlook Drive Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677	5:00 PM
October 18, 2009	Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley 87 Overlook Drive Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677	10:00 AM
August 13, 2009	Presentation at the home of Karen and Robert Meister 7720 Mary Cassette Drive Potomac, Maryland 20854	8:00 PM
August 13 th and 14 th , 2009	Book Signing for Mark It With a Stone United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Shop 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC 20024	1:00-4:00 PM
June 18, 2009	London Jewish Cultural Centre Ivy House 94-96 North End Road London NW11 7SX England	TBA
June 18, 2009	Presentation to Survivors London Jewish Cultural Centre Ivy House 94-96 North End Road London NW11 7SX England	2:00 PM
June 16, 2009	James Allen's Girls' School 144 E Dulwich Grove London, SE22, United Kingdom +44 20 86931181	2:00 PM
June 15, 2009	Presentation to Second Generation London Jewish Cultural Centre Ivy House 94-96 North End Road London NW11 7SX England	7:00 PM
May 6, 2009	Bergen County Professional Guidance Counselors Association Ramsey Country Club 105 Lakeside Drive Ramsey, NJ 07446	4:00 PM
April 23, 2009	Glen Rock Synagogue 682 Harristown Road Glen Rock, NJ 07452	8:00 PM
April 15, 2009	Horace Mann Middle School Riverdale, NY 10471	9:00 AM

 

Presentation at the home of Karen and Robert Meister

“It was a pleasure meeting you at Karen Meister's home last week. My husband, mother-in-law, a survivor herself, and I were very moved by your excellent presentation of your father's tragic personal experiences in the camps. You are certainly keeping your beloved father's memory alive and vibrant. I felt as though I had met him and heard the stories from him personally. I have just started reading his book and am finding it hard to put down.”

-Marcelle Mervis, daughter of Holocaust survivors

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Temple Emanuel, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 

“On behalf of the 7th grade students and parents, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your presentation on Sunday, October 18 th .

The students and parents were so moved by the story of your parents' journey. As you know, the students will be visiting the US Holocaust Museum next week, and you've given them such insight into the events of that time. I hope you will share this meaningful story with all of 7 th graders in the coming years.

I know that all the participants will gain an even greater understanding through reading the memoir, Mark It With a Stone , written by your father, Joseph Horn.”

-Gary Hirschberg, President, Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley

“I heard tremendous feedback about your program. Thank you again; we are so privileged to have the opportunity to have you in our children's lives. It is such a mitzvah that you do this work that so greatly honors both the memory of your father and all victims and survivors. It also continues his wish that we remember, bear witness, and that the next generation learns to fight injustice in our own time.”

-Mark Tanchel, MD, Co-chair, Board of Education, Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley

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In London, Sandy spoke to various groups, including a presentation at the James Allen’s Girls’ School.

Click here to find out more

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Bergen County Professional Guidance Counselors Association, Ramsey, NJ

“What a wonderful and moving presentation. Your father was a man of wonderful spirit, courage and strength. You are a woman of great strength too, with poise and beauty. Thank you for sharing your time, your work, and your father’s story with us.”
-Karen Rae Steele, President, Bergen County Professional Counselors Association

 

Glen Rock Jewish Center, April 23, 2009, Glen Rock, NJ

"I knew the story, saw the video, and yet, I was speechless. You are an incredible presenter with an important story to tell.”
-Elaine Meyerson, Executive Director, Shelter Our Sisters

"My thanks to you for a meaningful presentation.”
-With blessings, Rabbi Tow, Rabbi, Glen Rock Jewish Center

 

Horace Mann School, April 15, 2009, Riverdale, New York

After my presentation to the Middle School students, Laurence Sulner, a sixth grader, was inspired to write this poem:

The Holocaust Remembered
Shots ring as soldiers arrange groups of Jews
The humming of the locomotives
The mumbling in German, “filthy Jew”
The whispering in the underground Safe Place
The sharp sound of synchronized steps on the streets
Of the ghettos
The BANG of a pistol and the
THUD of an innocent being collapsing
As desperate voices scream HELP
Yet receive nothing but a loud silence

The murmurs of Yiddish in the grimy cars
The screams and cries of childless mothers
The shuffles of room-less feet wiggling on the floor
The metal gears that screech to a halt.
The steel mouths screaming HERE WE ARE, so
PREPARE TO BE SHOWERED

Listen listen listen
The gates are opening
The smell of fear travels round
ARBEIT MACHT FREI: Work will make (one) free
Voices calling and yelling
GATHER THEM UP
‘CAUSE THEIR TIME IS UP

“Once again, thank you for your visit and your very powerful presentation. Your father’s story touched us all. We hope that you continue to come back and not allow this piece of history to ever be forgotten.”
-Lynne Hirschhorn, 8th Grade Dean

“I couldn’t help but notice how you are able to look out upon your audience and see their expressions as they soak up your father’s story.

One of the final images, of the large rocks representing the cities and Jewish citizens who perished, made me think of each and every one of these students who are now bearing witness to your father’s story, and how this dream of his has been realized.

I’m sure many seeds were planted today.”
-Jeannie Aaron, parent

“I was very moved by your presentation this morning. You are a beautiful speaker. I was touched by your father’s story, especially in the details, and very moved, also, by your devotion to keep telling it.”
-Stacey Mindich, Stacey Mindich Productions

“I was so profoundly touched to see and hear both you and your father this morning. Who could imagine on a cold, rainy, miserable day such as this that I could feel so hopeful and uplifted. Your masterful and heartfelt telling of your father’s story had a major impact on your audience, and what an enraptured group they were! Horace Mann is truly a magical place and this morning, you were Merlin.”
-Debbie Kochnower Oronato, guidance counselor

 

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Teaching Seminar for Facing History and Ourselves, New York, NY.

Facing History and Ourselves is an educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and antisemitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry.

Good Afternoon,

I cannot encapsulate to you, how grateful I am and how much I appreciate you sharing your story about your father. It really touched me. As a victim of Bosnian war and genocide, I was touched and one question still remained: "How come no one intervened?" Currently, I am teaching English at Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria, Queens. I try to bring in my own experience and relate it some of the material in the classroom. When I came back from the Facing History seminar, I reflected on some of the things you have said and one thing in particular affected me deeply and I never thought of it. You talked about your mother and the fear of authority and bills and paying bills on time. That is typical of my father, who was shot and wounded by Serbs in 1994. He resides in Michigan with my mother and I just realized that the war made him the way he is today. He is constantly worried about authority and always checking up on me if I paid my own bills, as if someone will come and take everything away from him or take him to jail. That was really inspiring and it made me think deeper. Thank you for sharing your story and even though I have been through a war, I was deeply affected by the things you shared with us, for no genocide can be compared, however ought not to be forgotten.
-Dzenana Kurtovic
 

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Bergenfield High School

"Thank you for a truly moving presentation today. The other 9th grade teachers had a great deal of feedback from the students in class after your talk. Students had many more questions that were answered and led to very intense discussions. One of the History teachers said that the discussions led the students to become more introspective and led to personal comments that brought some to tears. You are a true credit to both of your parents for your spirit in sharing with us."
-Hilda MacLean, Teacher, Bergenfield High School, Bergenfield, NJ

 

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Article – Thursday, in the Secaucus Home News

Daughter of Holocaust Survivors Speaks about her Father's Experiences

Sandy Rubenstein, the daughter of Holocaust survivors Joseph and Dina Horn, will speak at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center at 7 PM on Tuesday, April 29 th . According to reference librarian Jennifer May, Rubenstein's father, Joseph Horn, wrote a book in 1996 about his amazing struggle to survive the Nazi Death Camps. "Now that book, Mark It With a Stone, is being reissued with an introduction by Rubenstein. Her presentation will include her father's story, in his own voice, taken from an interview he did with the Steven Spielberg Shoah Foundation. Rubenstein will explain the devastating impact the Holocaust had not only on the survivors, but on their children as well," May noted.

According to information supplied by Rubenstein, her father was the only one in his family to stay alive. In explaining why she speaks on the Holocaust, Rubenstein says, "As the survivors age and die, so goes the opportunity to tell their stories. Their children have a story to tell as well. What was it like to live with the knowledge of what your parents went through? And importantly, who will tell these stories now? In the face of the genocide of ethnic groups in Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur and other areas of the world today, it is imperative to remind ourselves of the potential of evil, while at the same time, we must teach tolerance."

According to Rubenstein, her parents, Joseph and Dinah Horn, both came from the same city, Radom, ad had met in its ghetto when Dinah (then Danka) was 12 years old and Joseph was 15. Dinah survived Bergen-Belsen and met up with her future husband again at a DP camp. "My father arrived in New York in 1947, and my mother arrived in July 1949. There were married in November 1949," she said.

Joseph Horn, a Glen Rock resident, died in 1999, and Dinah Horn lives in Washington Township. Rubenstein is a resident of Woodcliff Lake.

"I wanted to thank you, once again, on behalf of the Secaucus Library and all of our patrons, for visiting and sharing your father's experiences with us. The presentation was powerful and meaningful, and we look forward to reading Mark It With a Stone. "
-Jennifer May, Reference Librarian, Secaucus Public Library, Secaucus, NJ

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Pascack Valley High School

"The students offered so many positive comments about your father's story. They suggested you come in again next fall right after our unit on Schindler's List...I agree and I hope you can. The students thought you presented well, with sincere passion, and that you answered their questions genuinely."
-Karen Kosch, History Teacher, Pascack Valley High School

 

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Glen Rock, NJ Jewish Center

"It was my great pleasure to have you speak to the group yesterday. The story was profoundly moving, and I will never forget it. I purchased a copy of your father's memoirs and look forward to reading the story. I would like to be in touch with you regarding a Holocaust program for our community for next spring."
-Neil Tow, Rabbi, Glen Rock Jewish Center

 

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Horace Mann – Middle and High School Book Fair

"On behalf of all of us in the library and in the Horace Mann community, thanks so much for an absolutely fabulous afternoon last week. Your participation in our inaugural Book Fair Authors was a huge success. Thank you for sharing your family's story."
-Caroline Bartels, Head Librarian, Horace Mann School, Riverdale, NY

 

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Woodcliff Middle School, Woodcliff Lake, NJ

"Your presentation was so profound and moving that I will remember it always."
-Susan Dym, English Teacher, Woodcliff Middle School

"It was our pleasure to have you speak to the students. Mr. Wright, who never likes any assemblies, loved hearing you speak. The 8 th graders loved listening to your story and were very moved. I think everyone will keep your story with them."
-Liz Steiger, Parent Faculty Association, Woodcliff Middle School

 

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Riverdale Country Middle School, Riverdale, NY

"You are an amazing person. As you spoke today and told the story of your father, of your family, of your mom, I could not help thinking how proud he must be of you...You have given me so many ideas and ways to think of things! One of the themes I want the Middle School to adopt is your notion of "standing up." I am so inspired by you and what you are doing."
-Miton Sipp, Head of the Middle School, Riverdale Country Day, Riverdale, NY

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Holocaust Remembrance Assembly

Horace Mann Lower Division teacher Sandy Rubenstein will be giving a presentation today in Gross Theater to the 7th and 8th grades. Her father was a Holocaust survivor who wrote a book about his experiences: Mark It With a Stone . He also provided an oral history for Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation. While Sandy will share the visual and oral history of her father's personal experiences, she will also talk about what oral histories teach us about decisions we can make in our own lives. This presentation coincides with Holocaust Remembrance Day.

"Thank you for giving me the privilege of being a part of this project. It's truly an honor to participate in something so important, compelling, and meaningful. I don't know that I have ever seen something that is so intensely personal and at the same time, so globally significant."
-Adam Kenner, Director of Technology, Horace Mann School, Riverdale, NY

"Your presentation was wonderful and touching. Because of the artful way your organized the material and the video clips, I really felt like I knew your father, and I was able to appreciate the qualities he gained through his awful experiences. You also struck the right chord with your audience...I was watching the reaction of our students, and they were riveted to every word."
-Anne Lawday, Middle School Teacher, Horace Mann School, Riverdale, NY

"Your presentation was magnetic, moving, gripping, all the right stuff. Your could hear a pin drop in that auditorium, which speaks volumes about how well you reached the seventh and eighth grade audience."
-Lisa Moreira, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Horace Mann School, Riverdale, NY

"After your presentation, we spent the entire period talking about the assembly. The kids talked about their own family experiences, how powerful your and your father's words were. You had a number of fans and former students in all of my classes. 'We never knew what Mrs. Rubenstein's family had been through!' They learned so much from your father's story. They were incredulous that people didn't know, or didn't choose to know, and how people did not help, or could not help. Your focus of hope and the human spirit rang so true with us all. Thank you for your continuing legacy of education and light."
-Josy Hahn, Middle School Teacher, Horace Mann School, Riverdale, NY

"Sandy Rubenstein's presentation is moving and impressive. Her focus of hope and strength of the human spirit rang true to us all."
-Lis Harris, Staff Writer for the New Yorker for more than two decades.

"Mark it with a Stone is a remarkable and inspiring eyewitness account of one man's triumphant survival against all odds. It is a story that is filled with despair and loss but also with hope. I highly recommend it."
-Sherry Bard, Director of Education, USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education

"Sandy Rubenstein's Holocaust presentation based on her father's book, Mark it with a Stone along with his video testimony, was informative and very moving. The most compelling aspect was watching an auditorium filled with middle school students mesmerized by this personal and passionate story as an extraordinary history lesson came alive ."
-Nancy Schulman, Director, 92 nd Street Y Nursery School

"Sandy Rubenstein did a tremendous job on her Holocaust presentation this morning. The downstairs of the Alfred Gross Theater was standing room only (many teachers were present in addition to 7th and 8th grades), and you could have heard a pin drop throughout. She made it very personal, both in her words and in her use of her late father's Shoah Foundation video testimony, which were quite powerful. I thought it was a 'tour de force.'"
-Robert J. Katz, Member of the Board of Trustees and of the Executive Committee of the Board, USC Shoah Foundation for Visual History and Education; Senior Director, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc; Emeritus Chair of the Horace Mann Board of Trustees.