Holocaust Memorial Observances of Greeley and Northern Colorado

Eyewitness to History: A Holocaust Survivor Speaks – Rudi Florian: Propaganda and Personal Responsibility

This program will be presented virtually.
Link is available on the website under “schedule” and “Download pdf”

Hosted by the Mizel Institute

In order to combat hatred and genocide, it is important to understand the devastating effects of racism throughout history. All are invited to join the Mizel Museum for our virtual Eyewitness to History program, developed in collaboration with the USC Shoah Foundation. Rudi Florian: Propaganda and Personal Responsibility, explores the dangerous power propaganda had during the Holocaust and its effects today and how to discern between factual information and propaganda.

Born to devout Catholics in 1934 in Germany, Rudi Florian’s parents opposed the Nazis but didn’t dare to do so openly. As a child, Rudi’s teachers were Nazis and his schoolbooks contained Nazi propaganda. When he was 10 years old, he briefly served in the Hitler Youth until his mother came up with an excuse to have him released. When Russian troops invaded Germany, Rudi’s family was displaced to Poland. Eventually, they moved to East Berlin, where Rudi encountered Communist propaganda. Later in life, Rudi made a pledge to “join those who warned that genocide can happen again to any group of people, anywhere…” and served in the United States Air Force for 30 years. Now retired, Rudi educates others about the importance of remembering the Holocaust, the value of human rights and the sanctity of life.