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Elizabeth will share the story of her maternal grandfather, Rudolph (Rudy) Herz. Rudy was born in Germany but escaped with two of his brothers after being arrested and jailed following Kristallnacht. His mother and brother could not obtain visas and were sent to Belzec where they were murdered in the gas chambers.
After a multi-year journey traveling the world to get to safety, Rudy ultimately made it to the United States, where he was reported as a spy for the Germans. He was drafted into the U.S. army, only to be sent back to Europe to fight the Germans. He was part of the troops that landed on the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion.
Elizabeth’s grandparents rarely discussed their past. As her grandfather always said, "you always look forward, and never look back. However they remained tied to their German heritage throughout their lives.
Elizabeth Kamens
Elizabeth became a 3GNY speaker through WEDU in 2017. She is proud to be a part of such an inspiring and important organization and honored to keep the legacy of her grandparents alive, informing students about the Holocaust, and the effects hate and injustice can have on the world.
Her grandfather always said, "at the end of the day, all you have is your character." Elizabeth's grandparents' experience instilled in her an awareness about the negative effects of complacency, and their stories of survival encouraged her to pursue a job where she could help others and have an impact on society. She is committed to pursuing justice through the course of her work.
Elizabeth graduated from The George Washington University with a degree in Political Communication and holds a J.D. from Drexel University School of Law. She serves as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, New York City, where she is in the Trial Division and handles serious violent felony cases.
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