January 20, 2026

Forsyth Tech will host a special educational event on Tuesday, January 27, featuring Holocaust survivor Dr. Alexander “Lex” Silbiger, who will share his personal story of survival, resilience, and hope.

The event will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Rhoades Conference Center at the Robert L. Strickland Center on Forsyth Tech’s Main Campus and is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.

During the program, Dr. Silbiger will reflect on his experiences living under Nazi occupation, his family’s efforts to escape persecution, and his journey seeking asylum. His story traces the refugee experiences that eventually brought him to the United States and later to North Carolina.

Dr. Silbiger is the author of “Our Great Escape: The Story of a Dutch Family’s Flight from Persecution (1942–1943)”, a memoir that documents his family’s escape and survival during the Holocaust. Through firsthand testimony, he offers a powerful account of history while emphasizing the importance of remembrance, education, and compassion.

“Perhaps in a small way, my memoir can serve as a warning that such things can happen to anyone anywhere, no matter the color of their skin, the language they speak, or the god or gods they worship,” said Dr. Silbiger in the intro to his memoir. “We need to be vigilant at all times, so we don’t become victims and don’t become perpetrators!”

The event is hosted in partnership with Temple Emanuel, reinforcing the importance of community collaboration in preserving history and fostering understanding.

“When Holocaust denial, hate, and extremism are on the rise, it’s vital that we hear real stories from real people who survived the worst atrocities and allow those stories to impact our lives,” said Charlie Cytron-Walker, rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem. 

Dr. Silbiger will sign pre-purchased copies of his book immediately following the event; Bookmarks will also have other books about the Holocaust available for sale. Additionally, attendees may view The Blynn Holocaust Collection at Forsyth Tech’s Library on Main Campus, and can learn more about that collection here. 

This event is free and open to the public; RSVP is required at: Short.forsythtech.edu/Remembrance. 

Event Details
Date: Monday, January 27
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Rhoades Conference Center, Robert L. Strickland Center
Forsyth Tech Main Campus

For more information about this event, contact Angela Cook, Executive Director of the Forsyth Tech Foundation at acook@forsythtech.edu.