Holocaust survivor Max Edelman speaks to students at Magnificat High School

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - A group of Rocky River high school students learned about the Holocaust, not through books or lectures, but through the story of a survivor.

Max Edelman credits the help of a guard and his brother with surviving a concentration camp. Students at Magnificat High School thought they were getting a lesson in history, but they soon learned Edelman's story is one of hope, forgiveness and staying positive.

Edelman took to the podium to address the teenagers. The audience was his age when Nazis took control of Europe. 

"It touches me so much how he survived with the help of a guard and a brother because he was blind. That had to be hard to survive," junior Macy Nauman said.

While he talked about the Holocaust, Edelman also brought life lessons. 

"I like the message he said about not hating. Like he didn't hate the Germans. We shouldn't hate anyone because he has a lot more reason to hate than we do," senior Sarah Price said.

The idea to bring Edelman to the school was sparked by a book students read in a theology class.  Its title, "A Man's Search For Meaning." 

"If I can reach a few students who really are interested in learning the truth, the whole truth about the Holocaust Era, I think I have accomplished a lot,"  Edelman said.

"What fascinated me is that he's one of the few left who can actually tell his story, so if you don't hear it now, you may never hear from a person who actually experienced it," Nauman said.