Boston North Inc.
Present Memories
Sonia Schreiber Weitz -
Through a delicate weave of poetry and prose, I Promised I Would Tell, a memoir by Sonia Schreiber Weitz, provides adolescents with a compassionate look at a seemingly loveless world.
Sonia, who began writing at age twelve, remained undaunted by a Nazi edict banning Jews from owning pencils or paper. She simple continued writing in her head. Day after day in the concentration camps, Sonia memorized the words of a young girl coming of age in a senseless, brutal society.
It was not until she reached the Displaced Persons camps in 1945, however, that Sonia had the luxury to write down her words. And then it was not until 40 years later, steeped in freedom and time, that Sonia found the courage to reread her poignant testimony, as well as the insight to recognize that her unique experience harbors universal lessons for students today. In her reconstructed diary, Sonia dares to resurrect her memories of the Holocaust solely because she believes in the human being’s capacity for good.
For more than 25 years, Sonia has spoken to thousands of students about the dangers of bystander behavior, the nature of hatred and the power of the individual to create positive change. In an effort to expose more students to Sonia’s wisdom, Facing History and Ourselves published I Promised I Would Tell.
As Sonia says, “Who better to speak about light after darkness than me?” And as a student who read her memoir wrote, “If she can make it then I can too.”
Questions raised in I Promised I Would Tell lead to provocative classroom discussions about the good and evil in all people.
Sonia is also the Education Director of The Holocaust Center, Boston North. She discussed her book and the work of the Center on the NBC Today Show.
Interviews and speaking engagements with Sonia Schreiber Weitz can be scheduled by
calling (978) 531-
Copies of I Promised I Would Tell can be purchased at The Holocaust Center, or you can print a mail order form to purchase your own copy by clicking here!
Some poems written by Sonia can be viewed by clicking here. More poems can be found in her Memoir I Promised I Would Tell.
You can view an article about Sonia Weitz, written by Mark Arnold by clicking here.
We’ve received many comments from children regarding their views on ‘I Promised I would Tell’. You can read them by clicking here.
You can view an article about Sonia Weitz, written by Steve Rosenberg of the Boston Globe by clicking here.
Click on the CD icon to hear Sonia’s entire CD
The Audio is in MP3 format. It is a large file and may take a minute or two to start playing.