Sel Hubert 3rd Annual Humanitarian Speaker Series
"The Girl with Four Names: An Inspirational Holocaust Story of Survival & Bravery " by Ellen Kaidanow, member of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center's GenerationsForward Speakers Bureau
Ellen Kaidanow is the daughter-in-law of two Holocaust survivors. Her mother in law, also named Ellen Kaidanow, was only 5 years old when her mother, father and two sisters were all forced to move from their beautiful home in Dubno, Ukraine to a walled Jewish ghetto. Ellen tells the story of her mother in law’s life as a young girl in the ghetto and her miraculous tale of becoming the sole survivor of her family at age 6. She was saved by a Christian woman who hid her for two years.
Ellen feels that part of her fate and purpose is to be a witness for her mother in law’s story. She wants to honor her and help others of all religions have a personal connection to the Holocaust so they become witnesses. Most important, she wants to influence others to be “upstanders”, not bystanders. She also wants to show those who are struggling with tragedy that her mother in law was able to be resilient under the worst circumstances and went on to have great joy and love in her life despite the devastating experiences she had as a child. She wants to inspire others to never give up hope and to be grateful for what you do have. When possible, Ellen’s mother in law will accompany her to the presentation and will be available for a question and answer period afterward.
Ellen lives in Harrison, NY with her husband, Joseph. They have two daughters who are out of college and working, and a son who is still in college. Ellen worked in commercial real estate and executive recruiting before she became a full-time mother, active community organizer and volunteer for her children’s schools. She continues her volunteer work with her synagogue, UJA, and several other local non-profit organizations. She enjoys playing tennis and canasta and being a member of Generations Forward, a group of second and third generation individuals sponsored by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center of White Plains, New York.
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