At 95, Helga Melmed’s eyes shine with determination as she shares her powerful message for today’s Jewish community. We sat down with this remarkable Holocaust survivor to discuss her experiences and her perspective on Jewish pride in the face of modern antisemitism.
You have a powerful story about the yellow Star of David. Could you share that with us?
“When the Nazis forced us to wear the yellow star, I was just a young girl. I remember feeling scared and ashamed. But my mother, she took my hand and told me something I’ve never forgotten: ‘This star is not a badge of shame, it’s a badge of pride. We are Jews, and that is something to be proud of, always.’ Even in those darkest moments, her words gave me strength.”
How did you maintain your faith during those terrible times?
“In the camps, I prayed to Hashem every day. Many people ask me how I kept my faith, but for me, my faith kept me. Even in the darkest places, I knew Hashem was with me. I never stopped praying, never stopped believing. That connection to Hashem was something they couldn’t take away from me.”
When you see antisemitism rising today, what message do you have for Jews who might be afraid?
“I see Jewish students hiding their Star of David necklaces, and it breaks my heart. We tried hiding during the Holocaust — it wasn’t the answer then, and it’s not the answer now. The only answer is to be prouder, to stand stronger.”
What gives you hope when you look at the Jewish community today?
“When I see Chabad bringing Jews together, celebrating proudly in public, teaching children to love their Judaism — this gives me so much hope. This is exactly what we need. Every time I see a public menorah lighting, every time I see young people coming to learn about their heritage, I think: ‘This is Jewish survival.’”
What wisdom would you share with the next generation?
“My mother’s words about the Star of David have guided me for over 80 years. Today, when I see young Jews proudly wearing their Judaism, whether it’s a kippah or a Star of David, I feel we’ve won. They tried to destroy us, but here we are — not just surviving, but thriving. That’s the greatest victory of all.”
