Holocaust survivor speaks on religious acceptance Omahan relates experiences in concentration camps a The Christians are right, the Jews are right, the Muslims are right and the Hindus are right. We just all htxve different channels to God." LeoFettman concentration camp survivor By Kim Sweet Staff writer Nearly 125 students packed the Neihardt Blue TV Lounge Monday night to get a history lesson they could n’t read about in a textbook. Instead of listening to a professor lecture, students listened intently - sometimes in awe - of the story told by Cantor Leo Fettman, a survivor of one of the most horrific Nazi death camps during the Holocaust. But instead of focusing only on his experiences at Auschwitz, Fettman, who lives in Omaha, made his agenda clear at the beginning of his speech. “I’m here to tell you about the expe riences in labor camps,” Fettman said. “I’m here to help you become better human beings.” OnApril 16,1944, Fettman, then 19 years old, was escorted from his home in Hungary by two Nazi soldiers. After being confined to a ghetto with 2,500 other Jews, Fettman traded in his Jewish insignia for plain clothes so he would not be identified as Jewish to Nazi soldiers. In order to help his family members and other Jews get food and clothing, he denied his reli gion. “I hear that you are looking for young, Hungarian Christians,” Fettman said to the Nazi soldiers. After the soldier asked liftman why he wanted to become a Nazi, the Auschwitz survivor remembered his response clearly. “Because I hate Jews,” Fettman recalled saying. But after weeks of aiding the Jews, Fettman decided to hand in the disguise land accompany his family to Auschwitz, where he would watch his parents walk into the gas chamber, would become the subject of a number of experiments and would attempt sui cide. Even after observing many of the atrocities at Auschwitz, one thing has remained steady in Fettman’s life - his faith. During his presentations, Fettman said, bringing awareness to the Jewish religion takes just as much priority as his experiences during the Holocaust. But he also stressed the importance of being open-minded about all religions. “The Christians are right, the Jews are right, the Muslims are right and the Hindus are right,” Fettman said in an interview before his speech. “We just all have different channels to God.” Along with accepting and respect ing the differences in religion, Fettman said it was important to accept people for tfieir differences. I “Every person has a right to their opinion,” Fettman said. “We should accept people for who they are, not for what we want them to be.” Kristin Kruse, an undeclared fresh man and member of Neihardt Council, helped bring Fettman to the University ofNebraska-Lincoln. After hearing the Holocaust sur vivor on a previous occasion, Kruse decided Fettman’s message would have a powerful impact on students and help diem think about the future. “It’s important to prevent something like the Holocaust from happening again,” Kruse said. Fettman’s message reached Krista Hill, a senior biology major. Hill said it was important for that message to be spread. “We need education to prevent it from ever happening again,” Hill said. Fettman’s story will be spread, if not by mouth, through words, with the April release of his book “Shoah: Journey from the Ashes.” The book is a result of a life mission Fettman took on after he was liberated from Auschwitz. After questioning a rabbi on why he was allowed to live while his parents died, the rabbi responded by saying his parents’ missions had been fulfilled, but Fettman’s had not. “I came across a book that said the Holocaust never happened,” Fettman said. “It was then I found my mission.” Medical Laboratory Technician Get the training you need at SCC-Lmcolnm two years or less, • Associate of Applied Science Degree program • Transfer credits accepted • Excellent Job opportunities • Free Job placement assistance SCC HetkalLdnnXoryteMckm graduates can transfer their atdks to the Metical technology Program at the University of Nebraska Medkal Center to earn a B.S. degree! For information contact: SCC-Uncoln Admissions, 8800 0 SI, Lincoln, NE 68520 Phone: 402-437-2600,1-800-642-4075. View the program on the SCC web site. Southeast community college I http://www.college.sccm.cc.ne.u8 INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR MARCH 23 & 24 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CITY UNION JOIN THE SAMPLE FOODS , SEE / BUY CRAFTS Sponsored by s International Student Organization & International A flairs ' Council: Continue study ■ Members vote to delay 0 Street construction awaiting more research. ByEricRineer Staffwiriter The Lincoln City Council voted Monday to continue a study considering whether to widen east O Street to six lanes from 52nd Street to Wedgewood Drive. Coutocil members were unanimous in their vote, which eliminated any con struction of the east O Street project until late summer or early fall. The resolution called for an envi ronmental evaluation of the two alterna tives proposed for widening the east portion of the street ■ Thfr first alternative pairs 56th Street and Cotner Boulevard as one way streets from Randolph to P streets. P Street would be one-way, westbound. ■ The second alternative pairs 56* Street and Cotner Boulevard as one way streets from Randolph to R streets. This alternative leaves P Street open to two-way traffic. Both alternatives will be studied by the Department of Public Works and Utihties. During Monday’s meeting, council members expressed concern about sev eral issues they felt should be included in the study. Councilman Jeff Fortenberry said he was concerned about certain neigh borhoods that could be affected by the project “Even though (56th Street and Cotner Boulevard) are arterials, they are neighborhoods - important neighbor hoods - for our community,” Fortenberry said. Fortenberry said elements such as narrow lanes, landscaping and a poten tial slow-down of traffic should be taken into consideration to ensure neighborhood protection. Councilman Jerry Shoecraft also said that many local businesses were concerned the project would eliminate left-hand turn lanes on O Street. Though a final public hearing will not be held until the end of the summer, Council Chairman Curt Donaldson said he was optimistic about the final out come. Lied Center for Performing Arts presents Tango Buenos Aires Friday, March 26,1999, 8pm Danny Gottlieb, Percussion Drummer’s Fantasy . :j •'i ■ - Saturday, March 27, 1999, 8pm Johnny Carson Theater Locally sponsored by Dietze Music House, Inc. Tickets: 472-4747 or I-800-432-3231 Box Office: ! t . nly n Lied Center programming is supported by the Friends of Lied and grams from the National Endowment tor the Arts, Mid INcUlujKii America Arts Alliance and the Nebraska Arts Council. Ail events are made possible by the Lied Performance Fund which irnnfWTTo,iiwuiA-Ln.rn..w has been established in memory at Ernst F. Lied and his parents, Ernst M. and Me Ulied.. • - - '