DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — The story of a local Holocaust survivor lives on, five years after his death. A friend of Abe Piasek will share his powerful message in Durham next week on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Holocaust survivor, Abe Piasek, who was born in Poland and eventually moved to Raleigh, spent decades sharing his story of survival, teaching younger generations about the horrors of the Holocaust, the danger of hatred, and the power of kindness.
In 2019 he shared with CBS 17 his experience enduring five years in Nazi labor and death camps.
“As we were marching people were falling down, and if the guards saw you they shot you,” he recalled.
PREVIOUS: Triangle teacher carries on Holocaust survivor’s legacy by continuing to tell his story
Steve Goldberg was working as a history teacher when he first heard Piasek speak.
“Abe’s story is unforgettable,” he said. “There was much more to his story than he was able to share with us in 45 minutes.”
Realizing Piasek’s message must be preserved, Goldberg asked if he could record some conversations. Through their meetings, the two developed a friendship.
Piasek even visited the Holocaust museum with Goldberg’s class.
PREVIOUS: After 40 years of silence, Raleigh Holocaust survivor’s story now inspires others
Then in early 2020, Piasek had a bad fall and his health began failing.
“I went to his bedside and he was very weak,” Goldberg recounted. “He said to me, ‘Keep telling my story.’”
Piasek died a few days later but Goldberg has spent the past five years making sure his friend’s legacy lives on. With the support of Piasek’s family, Goldberg visits schools and community groups, sharing Piasek’s story, much of it through video — in Piasek’s own words.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Goldberg explained. “People say that they feel like they got to know Abe.”
He hopes they’ll take his friend’s messages to heart.
“I think the more people hear Abe’s story, the better the world is,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg will share “My Friend Abe” — a Holocaust survivor’s story on Monday, January 27 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Main Auditorium of Durham’s Main Library at 300 N. Roxboro St. The event is free, but people are asked to register in advance. You can do so here: https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/12772897
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
