Testimonials

Prussing Elementary School, Chicago
Friday April 8th,2011

Alan –
Prussing Elementary School was honored to have you as a guest speaker. The students and faculty were inspired by your father’s story and much discussion took place before and after your visit.The way you interacted with our students in grades 1st thru 8th was a masterpiece. Your knowledge and your presentation skills were masterful.
Our Prussing Cares shoe drive was a huge success due to the enthusiasm you showed; we collected 313 pairs of shoes. It made a difference! Thank you for telling a hard story and for teaching all that this is a story that never can be forgotten. I guarantee our students will never forget.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lloyd M. Ehrenberg
Principal
Prussing Elementary School

Brandeis School, Long Island, New York. March 11, 2011

Hi Alan, I hope all is well on your end. Your presentation earlier this month was just wonderful.You presented your father's story in such a tangible way - you are a captivating speaker. After you left, several of the staff thanked me for arranging your visit. I later spoke with two middle school students - one 8th grader & one 5th grader - both understood your message clearly. You have a gift of discussing a very sad topic in such a gentle manner - many educators would learn a lot from you.
Again, thank you. I hope that we can arrange future visits.
Regards,
Karen
On March 11, 2011, the middle school students at The Brandeis School were honored to have Alan Morawiec speak to them about the Holocaust, tolerance and the importance of tikkun olam. Mr. Morawiec is an eloquent speaker who presented the story of his father’s incredible journey to survival and the Holocaust in a gentle way. His father’s story coupled with the video presentation easily engaged the students. Certainly, the children gained a new understanding of the meaning of endurance and how we can all make a difference. To date, our students have collected almost 300 pairs of shoes which will be donated to those in need.
Karen
The Brandeis School, Parent Association Co-President

Shelley Ming / Glenn C. Jones Middle School / PROBE Language Arts / Nov.7, 2008

Mr. Morawiec's visit to Jones Middle School was inspirational and eye-opening to all who sat in awe for one hour. Many of our 7th grade classes did an intense two week study on the history, art, literature, poetry, and photographs of the holocaust. Even with all of this prior knowledge coming into Mr. Morawiec's presentation, students and teachers were blown away by the power of the first hand survivor testimony that Mr. Morawiec delivered on behalf of his father. As we entered the dark presentation room, the students were exposed to an Israeli rap artist whose lyrics remembered the holocaust. He then went on to connect to the students by giving an analogy to help students picture exactly 11 MILLION people. He also ended with a contemporary song in which the students recognized the lyrics but never connected them to the holocaust and the genocides that have occurred since and are still happening today. These are just a few examples of how Mr. Morawiec bridged the generation gap to truly let our students realize the enormity of this tragedy and share some personal connection. Not only were they enthralled the entire presentation, but our 7th graders at Jones have embraced the spirit of what the holocaust shoe project represents. If only all people could take part in what we saw. We (faculty and students) are better people because we heard and saw first hand this amazing story of hope in the face of tragedy, and survival against all odds.

Principal Richard Holland / Glenn C. Jones Middle School / Buford, Georgia / Nov 7, 2008
"Alan's presentation was moving and inspiring. His message about this terrible period in history is timeless and he did a wonderful job of helping our students understand how they can insure that such evil not be repeated any where at any time."
"I highly recommend Alan's presentation. Being a teacher himself, he knew how to engage our students and make it relevant to them."

"It was our pleasure to have Mr. Morawiec visit us here at Evergreen Middle School.
Our students were not only engaged but also visible moved by Mr. Morawiec's presentation.
Though the material can be heavy, Mr. Morawiec's delivery is such that he educates
while simultaneously enthralling his audience."

JR Dunn - Evergreen Middle School,Evergreen,CO - April 29, 2008

Alan,

Thank you again for coming to speak at Abiding Hope Lutheran church (Sunday May 4th, 2008) and for sharing your father with us.It is remarkable that you can turn a horrific tradgedy like the Holocaust into something that does good for the world. We will certainly collect shoes for you again next year.

You might have an idea how much shoes mean to our friends in Hati, but you'll fully understand when you visit!

Karen

The following images are Trinity school children in Jacmel, Hati. The children are choosing a pair of shoes that was collected from the Holocaust Shoe Project and brought to Hati by members of Abiding Hope Luthern Church in Littleton, Colorado.

Philip S. Miller Library - Castle Rock, Colorado
Sunday May 4th, 2008

There is a continual need for awareness of the Holocaust as the survivors grow older and a new generation is even farther removed from the atrocities by: changes in school curriculums, the deniers' movement and the inevitable insulating factor of Father Time.
Mr. Alan Morawiec and his father, Chiam, shared their touching story in a way which underscored the preciousness of the father/son relationship, highlighted the precarious condition of family relationships in a regime which sought their vulgar dismantelling and added depth and relevancy to all the faces of those unjustly caught in the Nazis' net.
The Morawiec's appearance together was a living demonstration of the bonds of love and commitment, bridging the gap between history and present-day reality for the audience. Alan's obvious gratefullness for his father's survival after his many near-misses with death reached our hearts, swelling within us a contagious pride and thankfulness.
Underscoring the Morawiec's story was the audiovideo demonstration Alan presented, which was equal parts lively, illuminating and dark.
We were made aware of the Holocaust Shoe Project started by Mr. Morawiec and its service to the communities served. (I have proposed that the library serve as one of the drop-off points for this project...the decision is pending).
Email clip from a staff member:
Patty and Kimberly,
"I was at the rover daddy in front at the beginning of the Holocaust program and at the end when people were leaving. People were talking how wonderful the program was, not only the adults but the teens were very moved. just thought you would like to know."
(name withheld)

Windcrest Retirement Community - April 29th, 2008

Thank you so much for the honor of having you and your father visit our retirement
community. We were held captive by the incredible story of your fathers journey for
almost 2 hours. As I watched the audience filled with retired professors, doctors
& nurses, engineers, school teachers, lawyers and many many veterans you could see the
tears in their eyes as well as a deep respect for Chaim. No one moved during this sad
but fantastic journey you took us on that evening. If you haven’t had the pleasure of
listening to Mr. Woody and meeting and talking with his father “ The Blessed One”
I can only hope you reach out and invite them to speak. You will not be let down
rather lifted up due to the love & respect this father and son have for each other.
Again Thank you for putting us on your tour schedule..see you next year…Sharon Prouse
from Wind Crest Retirement Community