Dina Jacobson Memorial: Memory Tree

At age 16, Dina Jacobson of Poland was taken to Auschwitz concentration camp where she endured three years of horrific tragedy. Remarkably, Dina was one of the few that survived. For 23 years, Dina has told her story to high school students from Elmira, NY to Pennsylvania. And we, the students of Vestal High School, have had the amazing opportunity to hear her story each year since 1994. Approximately 3,500 students have heard her story and it touched each one of us in an emotional way. For most students, the Holocaust became more real when they met her, and taught us to appreciate what we have in our lives. The strength we have witnessed in this one person has moved all of us immensely and we would like to do what we can to commemorate her life. Unfortunately, in June of 2014, Dina passed away at age 92. In celebration of her life and a tribute to her legacy, the Student Government of Vestal High School are placing a memorial at Vestal High school so that we can, "Never Forget" what her story has taught us. We are planting a flowering pear tree that will remain in the front of the school for years to come. On this, we are hanging beautiful antique bottles that contain, "Letters to Dina". These letters are messages, quotes, feelings or lessons that community members and students have taken from Dina's experiences and applied to their lives. We welcome anyone to reserve a bottle and write a message in remembrance of her story.  

In addition to the tree and bottles, we would like to purchase a stone to be placed underneath the tree that has Dina's name, birth/death date, an etched photo of her, and the words: "Never Forget". All donations will go toward this stone and we invite everyone to attend the Bottle Hanging Ceremony in June (details are to come).

For those who are not familiar with Dina's story, a documentary and song titled, "Blue Tattoo" was created, as well as the Vestal interview titled, "Never Forget" which can be found on the Vestal Central School District's website. The link below depicts more details of her life. 

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2014/04/26/documentary-shares-elmira-womans-story-survival/8217319/

Thank you for being part of this special tribute and contributing to Dina Jacobson’s legacy.