Chosen For What?

What does it mean to grow up in the shadow of survival?Chosen For What? is a powerful new podcast that dives deep into the personal stories of second and third generation Holocaust survivors. Hosted by acclaimed broadcaster and author Tommy Schnurmacher (whose own mother survived the horrors of Auschwitz), this original series features raw, unfiltered conversations with the children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren of those who endured and survived the Holocaust.This insightful podcast bridges personal histories and the present with heart, depth and some classic Jewish humour. Unpacking the unexpected ripple effects from survivors who surmounted and defied all odds. These lived experiences of inherited trauma, resilience, and identity are harrowing, heartbreaking, inspiring and deeply human. Through each episode, listeners gain intimate access to voices shaped by survival, silence, and the unshakable question: What does it mean to carry this important legacy forward?Br

Chosen For What? is a history podcast hosted by The Foundation for Genocide Education, with 19 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

The Foundation for Genocide Education hosts Chosen For What?, a history show with 19 episodes published.

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  Chosen For What?

  TRAILER: Season 3 of Chosen For What? Starts October 8th 2026!

  Sep 24, 20261 min

  What does it really mean to be an ally? Season 3 of Chosen For What? turns the conversation toward allyship and the role we all have to play in confronting antisemitism. Host Tommy Schnurmacher speaks with people from different faiths, cultures, professions and communities about why standing against antisemitism cannot be the responsibility of Jewish people alone. Throughout the season, we'll explore what meaningful allyship looks like in practice, from speaking up on university campuses and confronting hate within our own communities to challenging political leaders, questioning the narratives we encounter online, and building understanding between people with very different experiences and perspectives. Because fighting hate takes more than the voices of those being targeted. It takes allies. Chosen For What? is brought to you by the Foundation for Genocide Education, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student understands the history and lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides. To learn more about their work, or to make a donation, please visit GenEd.org.

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  Episode #8

  Why We Teach

  Jun 17, 202614 minS2

  Throughout this season of Chosen For What?, we've explored how the Holocaust continues to shape the lives of survivors, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In this final episode, host Tommy Schnurmacher turns his attention to an essential question: Why do we continue to teach these stories, and why does Holocaust and genocide education matter more than ever? The episode brings together educators, descendants of survivors, authors, and advocates who have dedicated themselves to preserving memory and sharing history with future generations. Neal Dalzell discusses how today's students engage with difficult conversations about prejudice, racism, genocide, and human behavior. Stacy Seltzer reflects on what it means to pass her family's legacy on to her own daughter, while Mollie Bowman speaks about the urgent need to preserve survivor stories as the number of living Holocaust survivors continues to decline. You will also hear from Judith Wertheim and Willie Handler, both of whom have found powerful ways to keep family histories alive through education, public speaking, and writing. The episode concludes with an inspiring message from Dorothy Goldwin about the impact one person can have by sharing their story. Chosen For What? is brought to you by the Foundation for Genocide Education, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student understands the history and lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides. To learn more about their work, or to make a donation, please visit GenEd.org . *Note: You will hear the terms 2G and 3G used frequently in this podcast. This refers to second-generation and third-generation descendants of Holocaust survivors.

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  Episode #7

  Inherited Identity

  Jun 10, 20269 minS2

  Identity is shaped by many things: family, culture, memory, and sometimes by stories that were never fully told. In this episode of Chosen For What?, host Tommy Schnurmacher explores what it means to inherit the legacy of the Holocaust, even for generations who did not experience it firsthand. Through conversations with descendants of survivors, the episode examines how family history can quietly influence values, identity, and the way people understand themselves and the world around them. And that begins with Stephen and Judith Wertheim, a father daughter duo who speak to young people about their family's experience. The pair reflect on speaking together about Stephen's parents' Holocaust experiences and the responsibility of carrying those stories forward across generations. Mollie Bowman shares memories of her grandmother and the lasting impact those relationships continue to have on her life today. Shoshana Cenker discusses the values passed down through her family, including resilience, compassion, and responsibility, and how she now shares those lessons with her own children. The episode also features Dorothy Goldwin, a second-generation Holocaust survivor who reflects on how survivors gradually began speaking publicly about their experiences after years focused on rebuilding their lives in new countries. Chosen For What? is brought to you by the Foundation for Genocide Education, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student understands the history and lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides. To learn more about their work, or to make a donation, please visit GenEd.org . *Note: You will hear the terms 2G and 3G used frequently in this podcast. This refers to second-generation and third-generation descendants of Holocaust survivors.

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  Episode #6

  The Weight of Silence

  Jun 3, 202612 minS2

  <p >Some stories are told openly. Others remain buried for decades. In this episode of Chosen For What?, host Tommy Schnurmacher explores the silence that often followed the Holocaust, and the lasting emotional impact that silence can have on survivors, their children, and even future generations.</p> <p> </p> <p >Trauma therapist Brent Diaz explains how unresolved trauma can continue to shape families long after the original event, especially when painful experiences remain unspoken. The conversation examines how silence can affect identity, emotional regulation, relationships, and the ability to fully process grief and fear. The episode also explores an important q...

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  Episode #5

  Millennials, Gen Z and the Future of Memory

  May 27, 20269 minS2

  <p >As Holocaust survivors age and fewer firsthand witnesses remain, younger generations are increasingly becoming the keepers of memory. In this episode of Chosen For What?, host Tommy Schnurmacher speaks with grandchildren and descendants of Holocaust survivors about what it means to inherit this history, and how they are choosing to carry it forward in their own lives.</p> <p> </p> <p >Natalie Bruck reflects on the close bond she shared with her grandfather and the personal memories that continue to shape her understanding of her family's past. Mollie Bowman, Managing Director of Living Links, discusses how third-generation descendants are b...

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