Shelley Silver, founder and CEO of Autumn Communications and mother of two, shares the extraordinary legacy of her grandmother Dora, a Holocaust survivor whose courage and tenacity shaped Shelley’s values and fire. Dora’s miraculous survival—scaling fences under Nazi gunfire and outwitting guards with grit and ingenuity—laid the foundation for Shelley’s fierce resilience, outspoken leadership, and deep commitment to Jewish identity.

In this emotional and unfiltered conversation, Shelley reflects on the aftermath of October 7th, the generational trauma that resurfaced, and her own stunned paralysis as the world’s response unfolded. What followed was a total shift: from quiet grief to unapologetic advocacy. Whether through raising her daughters with strong Jewish pride, supporting IDF soldiers with her husband’s hands-on volunteering, or cutting ties with longtime friends over moral lines, Shelley refuses to stay silent.

She shares how her grandmother’s strength lives in every action she takes—from standing up to antisemitism on college campuses to boldly wearing her Jewish star at trade shows. Shelley’s voice is one of love, anger, clarity, and action—pushing back against silence and calling others to speak up, show up, and never forget.

This conversation is a raw testament to inherited strength, the fight for visibility, and the unshakable power of Jewish joy in the face of rising hate. Shelley’s story is not only one of survival—but of defiance, remembrance, and enduring pride.

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Shelley shares the story of her Grandmother, Dora Daches Josephson, who escaped the Vilna Ghetto with her mother, narrowly dodging Nazi bullets. They survived by hiding in the basement of the building Dora’s mom used to run. After the way, they came to the U.S. where they rebuilt their lives.

If you heard what Shelley heard, you would never forget.

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Molly R. Stern, celebrated Hollywood makeup artist and devoted mother of three, shares the powerful story of her grandparents, Frank and Magda Stern, Holocaust survivors whose resilience has shaped her identity. Growing up as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Molly reflects on how her family’s past was ever-present in her life — a reality she openly embraces and proudly discusses in any setting.

In this conversation, Molly recounts the transformative experience of diving deeper into her family’s history for her interview with If You Heard What I Heard. Through heartfelt conversations with her father, she uncovered previously unknown details of her grandparents’ survival, from the dangers her grandfather faced as a forced laborer in the Hungarian army to the unimaginable resilience that kept them alive. Molly describes how this deeper understanding has shifted her perspective from simply acknowledging her family’s past to actively honoring it by sharing their story.

Amid the rising tide of antisemitism, Molly reflects on the importance of standing proud in her Jewish identity and using her voice to combat hatred. She shares her father’s stoic perspective on today’s challenges and how his lived experience serves as a grounding reminder of the ongoing need to remember and speak out. Through her work with If You Heard What I Heard and her daughter Vivian’s passionate storytelling, Molly ensures her family’s legacy endures.

This conversation highlights the enduring power of resilience, the responsibility of remembrance, and the importance of allies in the fight against antisemitism. Molly’s story is a moving testament to the strength of Holocaust survivors and their descendants, who carry forward their legacy with pride, hope, and a commitment to ensuring these stories are never forgotten.

Molly shares the story of her grandparents, Frank and Magda Stern, Hungarian Jews who were forced to live in a ghetto and narrowly escaped death by Nazi soldiers numerous times here

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Molly shares the story of her grandparents, Frank and Magda Stern, Hungarian Jews who were forced to live in a ghetto and narrowly escaped death by Nazi soldiers numerous times. Magda gave birth to their son in the ghetto, with little food and unsanitary conditions. She received word that Frank was dead while he was in the forced labor service, only for them to reunite at a convent where Magda had taken their son to recuperate at the end of the war. 

If you heard what Molly heard, you would never forget.

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Adina Schlass shares how being the granddaughter of Holocaust survivor Sam Moss shapes her identity and approach to Jewish life today. Her grandfather was not only a survivor but also a community builder who helped establish the Jewish community in Sydney, was involved with Israeli politics, and maintained friendships with prominent figures. This legacy instilled in Adina a deep sense of Jewish pride that has only grown stronger following the October 7th attacks.

In the wake of rising antisemitism and violence against Jewish people, Adina reflects on what it means to be "loud and proud" about her Judaism. She describes a profound shift from cultural Judaism to a more spiritual, intentional connection with her faith. This includes embracing daily prayers, finding meaning in traditions like Shabbat, and creating sensory memories for her children through the comforting smells of chicken soup and freshly baked sourdough that fill their home each Friday.

Adina's powerful commitment to Jewish community was highlighted when she hosted Shabbat dinners for Nova festival survivors and hostage families. During one of these gatherings, she experienced an extraordinary moment when she met the granddaughter of Oscar Heller—the man who had saved her grandfather's life in the Holocaust. This full-circle connection represents the resilience that flows through generations of Jewish people who refuse to be silenced. As Adina shares, "This is our Judaism. This is our story. We are standing in the middle of history."

Adina shares the story of her grandfather, Sam Moss, who was from a religious, observant family in Munkacs, Hungary before the Holocaust. Adina shares how Sam and his family did not have many warning signs, and how their normal, everyday lives as Jews seemingly overnight here. 

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Adina shares the story of her grandfather, Sam Moss, who was from a religious, observant family in Munkacs, Hungary before the Holocaust. Adine shares how Sam and his family did not have many warning signs, and how their normal, everyday lives as Jews changed seemingly overnight. Sam and his father survived unthinkable circumstances in several concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Sam survived forced labor, inhumane conditions, and Typhoid. After the war, he moved to Australia, not knowing the language, with very  little possessions, and almost no money. He rebuilt a life for himself, a successful business, and a large and growing family that continues to be leaders in their communities and dedicated supporters of Israel today. 

If you heard what Adina heard, you would never forget. 

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Jeffrey and Jason Gad share how being grandsons of Holocaust survivors Evelyn and Joseph Greenblatt shapes their identity and Jewish heritage. While their grandmother was more reticent about her experiences, their grandfather shared his stories more openly, particularly with his grandchildren rather than his own children. The brothers reveal intimate details of their family's survival, including how their grandmother's "gentile nose" helped her avoid detection and how their grandfather used his intelligence to seize opportunities to stay alive.

In processing this legacy, Jason describes the moment when the emotional weight of the Holocaust finally hit him at age 27, moving beyond clinical knowledge to profound grief for all that was lost. Today, both brothers carry forward their grandparents' resilience through different expressions - Jeffrey's preparedness mindset and Jason's commitment to documenting family history. In the face of rising antisemitism, they emphasize the importance of vigilance while maintaining Jewish joy through family traditions and humor. Their powerful story shows how Holocaust survivors managed to build normal, loving homes despite unimaginable trauma, and how their legacy lives on through three generations who ensure these crucial stories are never forgotten.

Josh Gad shares the story of his Grandfather, Joseph Greenblatt, who endured inhuman conditions during the Holocaust - narrowly escaping death several times while imprisoned in forced labor at Auschwitz here

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Josh Gad shares the story of his grandfather, Joseph Greenblatt, who was born into a close-knit, observant Jewish family in Lodz, Poland. Josh shares how Joseph endured inhumane conditions during the Holocaust - narrowly escaping death several times while imprisoned in forced labor at Auschwitz, on a prisoner transport under a barrage of bullets, and a death march. Joseph’s ingenuity, strength, and determination are part of what helped him survive through unimaginable circumstances.

Joseph met his wife, Evelyn, after the war, also a Holocaust survivor, and they had Josh’s mom, Susan, who was born in Wieden, Germany. Together they rebuilt their lives and a thriving family in the U.S. that continues to grow today.

If you heard what Josh heard, you would never forget.

We are honored and grateful for Josh Gad’s participation in If You Heard What I Heard.

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Shawna Wexler shares how being the granddaughter of four Holocaust survivors shapes her identity and approach to Jewish life today. While her grandfather Maurice struggled to connect emotionally with his children after the war, she experienced a softer, more nurturing version of him as a grandchild. Like many third-generation survivors, this generational distance allowed Shauna to receive their stories differently than her parents, who grew up amid the immediate aftermath of trauma. 

In the wake of rising antisemitism and the October 7th attack on Israel, Shawna reflects on the importance of raising proud Jewish children through strong community and joyful traditions. Her story demonstrates how Holocaust survivors' legacy lives on through their grandchildren, who transform inherited trauma into strength while ensuring these crucial stories are never forgotten.

Shawna shares the story of her grandfather, Maurice Kornberg, who was from a thriving family in Paris, France when the Nazis invaded here.

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Shawna shares the story of her grandfather, Maurice Kornberg, who was from a thriving family in Paris, Frame when the Nazis invaded. He and his family fled to the countryside where they found safety for a short while, until they were imprisoned and sent to the internment camp, Drancy. In total, Mauris survived four concentration camps including Birkenau and Dachau, managing to survive through the inhumane and unimaginable circumstances including grueling forced labor. Of an extended family of over 60 members, by the end of the Holocaust, he was the only survivor. He returned to Paris after the war and worked hard to establish a new life. He met his wife, Louise, who was also a Holocaust survivor, and together they rebuilt their lives after losing everything, including a big and vibrant family that continues to grow and thrive today.

If you heard what Shawna heard, you would never forget.

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