This week, Chosen For What? host Tommy Schnurmacher speaks with Monica Mendel, a second-generation Holocaust survivor whose life has been profoundly shaped by her parents' wartime experiences.

Monica shares the moving story of her family's survival, the silence that often surrounded those memories, and the emotional journey of uncovering the details later in life.

Together, Tommy and Monica explore how growing up with Holocaust survivor parents can influence everything from identity and values to parenting styles and worldviews. They discuss the importance of Holocaust education, the responsibility of descendants to preserve memory, and the lessons that can help prevent future atrocities. Monica's reflections offer a deeply personal perspective on resilience, remembrance, and the bonds of family.

Chosen For What? is brought to you by the Foundation for Genocide Education, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student understands the history and lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides. To learn more about their work, or to make a donation, please visit GenEd.org.