May 18, 2006 :: No. 250
| What: |
Fullerton resident Leon Leyson will talk about his experiences as the youngest survivor on Oskar Schindler’s list during World War II at the Cal State Fullerton Patrons of the Pollak Library’s annual spring event. |
| When: |
2 p.m. Sunday, June 4; a reception will follow |
| Where: |
Rotary Club of Fullerton Room 130, Pollak Library, Cal State Fullerton
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, Calif., 92831 |
| Cost: |
Free |
| Public Info: |
(714) 879-2084 |
| Background: |
Leyson was born Leib Lejzon — the youngest of five children — in Narewka, Poland, in 1929. Following the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, the family was moved into Krakow’s Jewish Ghetto. By 1941, his father and brother were working for Schindler’s enameled-goods factory. As the seeds of the Nazi’s “final extermination” plan dawned on Schindler, he risked his life and money to protect his Jewish workers. With the exception of Leyson’s oldest brother (who died trying to escape the Krakow Ghetto), the family was reunited at the Schindler factory — where “little Leyson,” as Schindler called him, worked on machinery.
From 1958 until his retirement 11 years ago, Leyson taught industrial arts at Huntington Park High School. He is a member of the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education Advisory Board at Chapman University. |
| Media Contacts: |
Suzanne Serbin, Patrons of the Pollak Library, (714) 870-4349
Gail Matsunaga, Public Affairs, 657-278-4851 or gmatsunaga@fullerton.edu
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