2007

Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School was pleased to welcome Holocaust survivor Sidney Finkel on Tuesday, 1 May 2007.  Mr. Finkel spoke in our auditorium to an audience of approximately 475 students, as well as faculty, staff, and members of the local media.

Mr. Finkel had contacted me approximately two years ago by sending me an examination copy of his memoir, Sevek and the Holocaust: The Boy Who Refused To Die.  His book can be ordered directly from him by contacting him through his website at http://www.holocaustspeaker.com.  I began an e-mail exchange with Mr. Finkel this past autumn and we began to make arrangements for his visit.  I found him to be very approachable and eager to tell his story to today's youth.  On the day of the event, we certainly were not disappointed.  He delivered a powerful multi-media message through video, personal testimony, and a question and answer period.  Afterward, he greeted many of our students, and took an additional amount of time to meet with interested students in small groups.  He was very accommodating in posing for pictures with our students.  Several of our students purchased his book at the conclusion of the presentation.

Sidney Finkel poses with BBCHS Social Injustices instructor Doug Wadley

Left to right:  Natalie, Sidney Finkel, Jenna, and Alicia

Sidney Finkel and Jennifer

Alicia and Sidney Finkel

2008

Sidney Finkel honored our school with a return engagement on Wednesday, 7 May 2008.  We were able to bring approximately 450 students to our auditorium to hear his story.  Sidney was again very engaging, prompting students to participate in a 35-minute question/answer period following his testimony.  Sidney remarked that our students' inquisitiveness drove one of the longer (and better) Q&A's he could remember.  Our students were well-behaved, and almost 200 of them took the time to go through a receiving line for personal photographs or to simply shake Sidney's hand.

This is on the verge of becoming an annual rite of Spring here at BBCHS, and many are already eagerly anticipating a third visit from "Sevek".

Sidney greets students after the presentation; some of the students purchased a copy of Sidney's book.

Sidney Finkel with (L to R) Jessica, Lee, Tiffany, and Jayne

Sidney Finkel with (L to R) Michael and Damien