Holocaust Survivor Warns Against Rising Threats of History Repeating
Annick Lever, an 82-year-old Holocaust survivor, has voiced urgent warnings about the potential for history to repeat itself. She highlights the dangers of intolerance and the importance of remembrance for younger generations. Lever’s personal story is a poignant reminder of the horrific consequences of hatred.
Lessons from the Past
Born in November 1943 in Nazi-occupied Saujon, France, Lever was introduced to anti-Semitism at age 11. While walking to buy groceries, a group of boys mocked her with a rope, labeling her a “dirty Jew.” At that time, Lever was unaware of her Jewish background.
Her father, Pierre Xavier, a resistance fighter, worked tirelessly to keep his family safe. He orchestrated their escape from a makeshift prison in La Rochelle, where authorities had detained them due to their Jewish identity. Tragically, in early 1944, Lever’s mother, aunt, and grandparents were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau; they did not survive the journey. Her mother, Lilian Xavier, died en route, while her aunt and grandparents were murdered upon arrival.
Fears for the Future
Lever expresses deep concern over current social tensions. “I fear it and I feel it,” she stated, lamenting the escalating divisive rhetoric and violence in modern society. Her sons have intermarried, and her granddaughters are not Jewish, which adds to her anxiety about future generations amidst rising xenophobia.
Recalling conversations with those who experienced the war, Lever emphasizes the enduring words of a German woman who warned her that “history has a way of repeating itself.” Lever fears that similar factors are at play today. “The Nazi regime didn’t rise up in a day. It built up slowly. Who knows what’s happening now?” she said.
Sharing Her Message
Lever has dedicated her life to sharing her story through the Holocaust Educational Trust. She travels to schools and Parliament events, emphasizing the need for remembrance. “The Holocaust should never be forgotten,” she insists. “We must respect one another, regardless of skin color, religion, or background.”
Her mission is to ensure that younger generations learn the lessons of the past. After surviving the horrors of the Holocaust, she was raised by Andree Castex, who bravely risked her life to save Lever. Castex, affectionately known as Mimi, became a mother figure after Lever lost her biological mother. “She risked her life for me,” Lever reflects, expressing deep gratitude.
A Journey of Reflection
Throughout her life, Lever has pieced together her family’s tragic history. As a child, she listened to Mimi recount stories, often confused about the photographs and figures from her past. “It was disturbing for me,” she admitted, recalling the time before she understood her family’s history.
Lever continues to stand as a powerful voice against hatred and prejudice. Living in southwest London with her husband, Allen, she is also a mother and grandmother, committed to ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten. “It’s crucial that we never forget,” she concluded, especially in light of the genocides that have occurred since then.
