Latest news with #Holsten
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Annual picnic held to thank first responders during National EMS Week
This week is National EMS Week, a time to thank our first responders. UPMC Hamot is doing its part in showing gratitude for emergency care practitioners with a free meal. 'Seeds of Hope' event aims to raise awareness on women's health research Hamot hosted their annual EMS picnic, where all local and regional volunteer and professional providers were invited for lunch. A UPMC representative said a free meal is the least they can do, as many of them help others make it through what might be their worst day. ECGRA invests in early childhood education, 59 centers awarded ARPA grants 'These folks are the ones that on a drop of a hat, the least convenient time or whatever it may be, are the ones jumping out of bed going to take care of people in their time of need. The professionalism they show, the competence they show with doing what they do is amazing,' said Don Holsten, senior manager of pre-hospital care at UPMC. 'And ultimately, what we want to do there is say thank you to them for what they do. They're the most selfless people around.' Holsten said if it were up to him, National EMS week should be every week, adding that we couldn't survive without EMS care and support. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Holocaust Survivor Hannah Holsten Shares Her Story on the Harvey School Campus
As one of the last living survivors of the Holocaust, Hannah Holsten carries a story that demands to be heard — not simply to inform, but to serve as a warning. Her visit to the Harvey School on Jan. 15 proves the value of these testimonies and the lasting impact they have on those who listen. While survivors are still with us, every student should take the opportunity to hear voices like Holsten's so they are prepared to recognize injustice and stand up against it. Recognizing this importance, the Harvey School made a dedicated effort to bring a first-hand account to its students. In collaboration with the school's Jewish Culture Club, the Harvey English and History departments organized the event to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. English and History Department Heads Virginia Holmes and Jessica Falcon partnered with the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center to select a speaker. From the Center, Executive Director Millie Jasper and Speakers Bureau Liaison Bette Sparago connected them to Holsten, who lived a normal life in Nuremberg, Germany until 1938—when the night of Kristallnacht shattered it all. On the night of Kristallnacht, Holsten shared that the Nazis destroyed all of her family's personal belongings and jewelry store. This was the beginning of the world's descent into unspeakable horror—one that millions would not survive. According to Holsten, what followed was a period of displacement and almost impossible choices that defined her years in the shadows. At the Harvey School, Holsten gave her testimony, stating that she felt an obligation to speak. 'I'm here,' her voice quivered. 'Six million of my brethren are not.' Teacher Nate Alexander and student Benji Cutler recorded her testimony, preserving it as a record presented to the entire Upper School Community on Feb. 11. Observing nearly every student in the room captivated by the gravity of Holsten's words, Department Head Ms. Holmes explained: 'Not only is the content in her story so powerful, but she herself was such a dynamic speaker that the Harvey community was listening to every word she had to say.' Among many of Holsten's reminders was that while it is easy to reimagine history's greatest atrocity as the work of a single individual, it is crucial to remember that Adolf Hitler was legally elected. In other words, he didn't seize power by surprise—he was chosen. Holsten detailed the systemic laws that slowly eroded the rights of the Jewish people until they were no longer humans but problems to be solved. Yet what allowed Hitler to finally claim absolute power, in Holsten's words, was silence. 'Whatever he did, it was in silence,' she reminded the audience. 'No one at all spoke up.' As Holsten shared her story with the Harvey School, she recounted the moments when fate blurred the line between her family's tactics and sheer luck on their route toward survival. After Kristallnacht, Holsten recounts her mother putting her and her brother on a train to Amsterdam. Though they were not allowed to disembark there—this attempt to escape having failed—Holsten's Dutch aunt joined the train and convinced the children to exchange their toys for new ones. Holsten revealed that her mother had hidden jewels inside the toys, hoping that the family could use the jewels to potentially bargain for their survival. The toys fulfilled this wish, and Holsten's father eventually used the jewels to hire new smugglers to begin their escape. Holsten said that the terror of being nearly caught haunted her and her family at every step. Survival during the Holocaust meant being subject to forces beyond one's control, Holsten explained. Transported by new smugglers to escape, her family was hidden in the disguised bottom of a hay wagon. 'We rolled along the countryside—and of course, we were stopped,' Holsten said. What followed was a life-saving twist of fate. According to Holsten, 'The Nazi officers took their pitchforks and put them in the hay. Who was looking after us? Maybe it was God. Maybe it was destiny. Maybe it was luck. They did not penetrate us. They were so high that what they hit was really hay—and not us.' When the smuggler transporting them could go no further, Holsten remembers him directing the family toward a bridge—their only path into Belgium and safety. But when they arrived, a troop of German soldiers with bayonets lined the bridge. According to Holsten, another miracle of chance saved her and her family. By sheer luck, the soldiers turned around and allowed them to cross the bridge. 'Was it empathy? Was it [that] they saw a young woman with three children, and they [decided not to] kill them?' Holsten asked the students at the Harvey School—chills permeating the room. Once in Belgium, Holsten recalls her father using their family's remaining money to reach Britain. After a year enduring blitzkriegs there, Holsten's family left for the United States. But Holsten makes clear that they were among the fortunate. Millions—including many of Holsten's relatives—never made it out. Holsten shares that at an age when most children learned nursery rhymes and games, she had endured the art of survival. Eventually, her family was granted entry into the United Kingdom—where she lived in Cardiff before making her way by boat to the United States. Holsten described her current life, explaining that she now lives in Hartsdale as the bearer of her family's legacy— a legacy that defied Hitler's attempts to erase the Jewish people. She has three children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and enjoyed a long career in Jewish education, retiring a decade ago. At the end of her story, Holsten recounted a final memory that left students shocked. Her aunt, who had hid in Holland, was betrayed and deported to Auschwitz. Her aunt had a son— a 4-year-old of whom she made the difficult choice to give away to strangers to give her son a chance of survival. These acts of sacrifice defined the Holocaust. Holsten's aunt knew she would not survive— but her son had a chance. Later, Holsten revealed that her aunt endured Auschwitz until liberation. Her husband was not as fortunate and died on a death march shortly before being freed. Incredibly, Holsten shared that her aunt's son survived and lives today in Israel. Yet, the story of his mother and millions of victims reflects the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. The Harvey School administration now intends on sharing Holsten's story every four years, ensuring that every graduating class hears Holsten's story. As the last living survivors of the Holocaust slowly leave us, the responsibility of remembrance falls on the generations who live long after. Holsten's story reveals that history is never far in the distance— and that unspeakable cruelty and violence may resurrect itself if we dare not confront our silence and complacency. Looking ahead, they remain committed to never letting Holsten's words fade. The act of listening to Holsten's recorded testimony will forever be a part of the Harvey School's graduation tradition, inspiring students to preserve an unspeakable history in the name of shared responsibility— and ensuring that the terrors of the Holocaust never happen again. As we navigate an era marked by rising disinformation, extremism, and social tension, Holsten's story is not just relevant — it's essential. Her testimony serves not just as a remembrance of the past, but as a warning to the present. To ensure that such atrocities are never repeated, we need to continue listening to the stories of survivors while they are still with us and commit to carrying their voices forward once they are gone. Related
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Our Elite Eight finalists are here: Vote for your favorite North Jersey ice cream
The weather outside might be screaming May, but I promise, hungry folks, that it's still March. It just happens to be a March where the temperatures outside are absolutely perfect for the game I'll be reintroducing to you right now: Welcome back, dessert-lovers, to North Jersey Eats Ice Cream madness. While last week's Sweet 16 round of competition saw the elimination of many local powerhouses (Cliff's and Holsten's, for example), you guys have spoken, and that's just the way the cookie crumbles (into a smooth batch of slow-churned vanilla), I guess. This week, we continue into the Elite Eight, and — as surprising as Thursday's results were — I'm sure things are about to get even more cutthroat, as multiple ice cream shops promising free ice cream to their customers should they win are now pitted directly against each other. Who will emerge victorious? That, readers and eaters, is up to you. Before you rush back to the polls, however, please take a moment to review the game logistics. Here are the official rules for round two: Voting for this bracket begins at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 13. You can vote once per matchup, per round. Final Four voting will begin on March 18, featuring winners from the previous round. And now that the directives have been covered, let's begin. Vote below for the ice cream shops you think should move on to next week's Final Four. **NOTE: If the polls do not immediately load, refresh the page. The poll generally loads better on desktops and laptops rather than on mobile devices. If you have issues voting in the app, try using your browser. Also, avoid using Firefox browser. may have just opened in 2021, but the husband and wife-owned spot boasts nostalgic vibes — and classic ice cream treats — that'll convince you its been there forever. A little, brick walk-up stand, the tiny-but-mighty shop has all the vibes of an old-school frozen dessert establishment, but scoop flavors rich with the taste of modernity. Some to try include Chocolate Fudge Crunch and Oatmeal Cookie. Go: 686 Goffle Road, Hawthorne; 973-304-4322, Ice cream fans go into mourning every time closes for the winter, because a season without 10 flavors of soft serve (and seemingly infinite varieties of hard scoops) is just too hard to bear. When the cash-only shop revs back up for the summer, then, peak hours draw lines out the door — as hungry Morris County locals can't wait to get their hands on peanut butter banana twists, or waffle bowls full of Campfire S'mores. Go: 240 Route 46, Dover; 973-366-1650, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Ghost Pepper Chocolate and Golden Raisin Kulfi are just a few of the innovative flavors I've seen pop up in ; a father and daughter-owned scoop shop in Budd Lake. At the hidden gem strip mall joint, unique ice cream varieties — that are constantly changing — are the name of the game. Visit one week and you may see Sweet Potato Pie, while, another seven days later, it'll be replaced by Colombian Cookies and Cream. Whatever's on the menu when you stop by, however, is certain to be delicious. Go: 100 Route 46, Budd Lake; 862-258-3593, is a newcomer to the North Jersey ice cream scene (when considering many of its competitors have been open since the 50s, 60s or before), but that hasn't stopped it from becoming a Morris County dessert favorite. The secret to the shop's popularity? Contemporary flavors like Dunkaroos, Grasshopper Guinness and Reese's With-a-Spoon (Reese's Pieces, Reese's Cups and a peanut butter swirl). Go: 38 Morris St., Morristown; 862-260-9221, Bergen County residents know just how frustrating the summertime line at of Ridgewood is. When the temperature rises above 70, the wait for the beloved store seems to stretch into Glen Rock (not really, but kind of really). Patience always proves a virtue, however, when you finally reach the counter — and are rewarded with one of the dreamiest, most fantastic bowls of ice cream around. Go: 145 Ackerman Ave., Ridgewood; 201-444-1429, Every winter, I thank my lucky star that 's seasonal break only lasts for the month of January, because — if the shop were closed any longer than four weeks — I'd seriously miss it. On a weekly basis, I frequent the spot for its one-of-a-kind flavors, flawless hot fudge and top-notch peanut butter sauce. While it shuts temporarily, though, I make sure to load my freezer with half-gallon containers of Vanilla Crunch Swirl; because, with sticky ribbons of fudge and cake crunchies, the flavor is one of my favorite local desserts. Go: 34a Broadway, Denville; 973-627-4214, A drive down Route 23 in the summer is never complete without a stop at vibrant blue ice cream stand. Featuring one of the best renditions of Cookie Monster in the area, the menu at the highway-side parlor is loaded with crowd-pleasing creations. Some of my go-to flavors? The aforementioned cookie dough hot-seller, of course, as well as the Graham Slam, Vanilla Peanut Butter Swirl and Pillsbury Cake Batter. Go: 30 Route 23, Riverdale (with a second location on Monroe Street in Boonton); Home-making ice cream is a century-old tradition at ; a Montclair icon that serves, in its owners' words "sweet scoops of the past." Within its barn-reminiscent store, flavors — like Summer Peach, Extreme Cookies & Cream and all-natural White Pistachio — sell like Tickle Me Elmos in 1996. Though each are tasty, my favorite is the Peanut Butter Fudge Brownie, because I love that I can devour a new-age flavor in such charming, rustic digs. Go: 616 Grove St., Montclair; 973-744-5900, Come back on Tuesday, March 18 to see who advanced to the Final Four. Sweet 16 (nominated by readers): March 4-6 Elite 8: March 11-13 Final Four: March 18-20 THE FINALS: March 25-27 Winner announced Tuesday, April 1 Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter. This article originally appeared on North Jersey Eats Elite Eight: Vote for favorite NJ ice cream
