Inheritance of Memory brings together the voices of Holocaust survivors and their children in a deeply moving anthology of memoir and testimony.
This kaleidoscope of family stories conveys what reading one story cannot: that the Holocaust nightmare unfolded in vastly different ways and at different times depending on where you lived in Europe; that Jews fiercely resisted Nazi persecution and eluded capture in countless ways, legally and illegally; and that they journeyed all over the world seeking safe haven.
The survivors speak of loss, endurance, courage, and hope. Their children share how they came to understand their parents’ experiences—and why telling these stories matters.
As the generation of survivors grows smaller, remembrance becomes an urgent responsibility for us all. This collection stands as an act of witness and preservation, ensuring that these personal histories remain part of our collective memory.
John Kornfeld grew up in Los Angeles in a tight-knit community of Holocaust survivors. He earned his A.B. degree in English from Princeton University; his M.A. in Education from Sonoma State University; and his Ph.D. in Education from Indiana University. He spent 16 years as a K-12 teacher (including 11 at Monte Rio School) before moving on to higher education. Beginning in 1996, he worked at Sonoma State University, serving as Professor of Education and Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies. He retired in 2020.
John and his wife, Laurie Prothro live in a house they built in the rural coastal ranges of Northern California. He currently is a trustee on the Guerneville School Board and longstanding board chair of West County Health Centers. Most importantly, he spends as much time as possible with his wife, their three grown children and their spouses, and, especially, their six grandchildren.