CSUSM Hillel Presented Holocaust Survivor & Author Goldie Jacoby

Goldie Jacoby

On Yom HaShoah, Hillel CSUSM presented to a waiting-room-only crowd Goldie Jacoby, one of the youngest Holocaust survivors, to tell her story of hiding from the Nazis in a barn for more than two years.

Jacoby was born in Poland in 1937. She was just five when she and her family went into hiding from the Nazis in a cramped barn.  In recent years, Mrs. Jacoby has spent much of her time speaking to students in the Coachella Valley about her experiences during the Holocaust. Her book, The Last Survivor, published in 1997, tells the gripping story of her survival.

The student-planned and led Yom HaShoah event is an annual highlight for CSUSM and the biggest event of the year. Students were deep into planning this event when it got moved online. So, Hillel turned the event into a virtual experience and extended its reach beyond CSUSM, North County, San Diego to everyone who wanted to log in and listen. We welcomed students from several campuses, alumni, faculty, many community members, and Hillel of San Diego Board members.

Goldie adapted seamlessly to the new platform and was able to share her story of survival with a much broader community than we would otherwise have had.

Other Stories From Hillel

Hey, it’s up to YOU

January 29, 2024

Last night at the Welcome Back BBQ, students planted their legacy tree in the backyard to memorialize those lost on October 7th and in the war. SDSU President Adela de la Torre was in attendance and spoke about how students were able to show up as leaders and leave a lasting legacy on their community through Hillel.

Supporting Students and Learning Together in 2024

January 12, 2024

Welcome to 2024! As we launch into the second half of our year, we continue to be hyper-focused on supporting students. This is done through a multitude of strategies.

First and foremost, we focus on imbuing pride in being Jewish. That looks like joyful shabbats, social bonfires, opportunities for lots of laughing…and lots of good food. Programs of joy are possible BECAUSE you support Hillel. Your generosity funds their joy.

What will Hillel look like in 2024?

December 28, 2023

“Dos pintele yid, ‘that little point of a Jew,’ refers to that spark of Jewishness in each of us that we can’t quite manage to ignore, no matter how hard we may try,” writes Sarah Hurwitz.

Dos pintele yid has been on our minds at Hillel every day, especially now. Our organization has radically expanded after October 7th. This is not a crisis. This is the new normal, and what it means to be Jewish on campus has also changed.

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