The Cody Church in Wyoming was privileged to hear Simone Salen tell the story of her family’s desperate attempts—and ultimate success by God’s grace—to escape Vienna, Austria, during the Holocaust. Salen was a small child at the time of the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Austria. Her father, Israel Goldhirsch, put her and her mother into hiding until they ultimately fled to England, where she and her mother were protected.

Her father only escaped after multiple failed attempts, beatings and near-death experiences. His compelling story is now published in the book My Father’s Lost Diary.

“Simone has felt called to share her family’s story with all ages in order to continue to educate the public about the horrors of the Holocaust and the anti-Semitism that is still taking place today all over the world, including the United States, and even here in Wyoming,” said Samantha Nelson, who organized Salen’s visit to Cody.

Prior to speaking at the Cody Church, Salen spoke at the Cody High School assembly to a group of 200 students, and to the students at SonShine Academy in Worland, Wyoming.

“We are greatly indebted to Salen and other Holocaust survivors for bravely sharing their stories so the past will not be forgotten—or repeated,” commented Nelson.

RMCNews