Holocaust survivor Janet Singer Applefield visits MHS

Special to The Advocate

Holocaust survivor Janet Singer Applefield recently visited Malden High School for a presentation to students. Janet has met with more than 4,000 students over the years — speaking about her experiences and her life. As it was also the occasion of her 90^th birthday, Mayor Gary Christenson presented her with a citation.

Janet’s life story is nothing less than awe inspiring. Born Gustawa Singer in 1935 in Krakow, Poland, as World War II was developing, her parents made the heart-wrenching decision to leave her with a distant relative to save her life. At just seven years old, she became “Krysia,” a recently deceased Catholic girl, as her family marched off to concentration camps. She was reunited with her father following the war and came to America, where she chose a new name: Janet. Janet’s strength and resilience enabled her to overcome her brokenness to share her journey of survival and hope with younger generations to ensure that no one ever forgets the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Impressively, Janet’s testimony before the Massachusetts Legislature mandated genocide education in our schools. Speaking with students all over the world, including Malden High School, Janet’s contributions and insight have been an invaluable tool.