Harper College, located in Palatine, Illinois, welcomed storied guest Ralph Rehbock, a holocaust survivor who educated and inspired students and faculty members on his rich history in D195 on April 23, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Rehbock, born in 1934, saw his town of Gotha, Germany, become a target of antisemitic treatment in the lead up to World War 2 and the infamous holocaust, where 6 million humans were murdered.

“These weren’t just the killing of 6 million jews but the murder,” Rehbock said. “There is a big difference between those two definitions.” 

Mr. Rehbock pointed out that he would not be discussing concentration camps during the Holocaust because his story does not include being at a camp, only what happened before 1938. 

He described the four years throughout the presentation, providing the difficulties of the Holocaust but also the blessings that led them to the U.S. 

Mr. Rehbock spoke about the personal experiences his family had during this time, which included his father having his passport and driver’s license taken away. Then his mother’s job as a dental hygienist was taken away.

The Harper Jewish American Heritage Month Committee recognized the importance of bringing a firsthand educator like Rehbock, who fled Germany in 1938. 

Erin Graff, one of the event’s organizers, reflected on the necessity for these stories to be heard.

“Knowing our history helps us recognize things that are happening now,” Graff said. “Knowing that can prevent history from repeating itself

Rehbock’s story was told in detail, from leading up to the departure of Germany, to his new life that began in Hyde Park, a southside suburb in Chicago. 

16-year-old Montessori Academy student Sergio Suarez said the presentation went well.

“The presentation was very nice,” Suarez said. “He is an incredible storyteller.”

Rehbock is still involved in the work of archiving the holocaust. As a Northbrook resident, he serves as the Vice President and officer of the Executive Board at the Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois in Skokie. Rehbock enunciates the importance of telling these stories.

“Total importance,” Rehbock said. “The stories must be continued in any way. So the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren
are going to continue those stories, and need to, absolutely.”

A field trip was offered to Harper Students on May 9th who would like to visit the Museum.

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