Podcast Episode Summary: The Daily – “The Sunday Read: ‘This Is the Holocaust Story I Said I Wouldn’t Write’”

Introduction

In the May 4, 2025 episode of The Daily, hosted by Michael Barbaro and produced by The New York Times, writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner delves into the deeply personal and emotionally charged journey of crafting a Holocaust survivor’s story she initially resisted telling. The episode, titled “This Is the Holocaust Story I Said I Wouldn’t Write,” explores themes of memory, legacy, inherited trauma, and the pressing urgency to preserve survivor testimonies as the last generation of survivors passes away.

Background: Reluctance to Engage with Holocaust Narratives

Taffy Brodesser-Akner opens by recounting her longstanding friendship with Ilana Lindenblatt and her initial reluctance to document her friend's father, Yehuda Lindenblatt’s, Holocaust experiences. She confesses, “I sort of hate telling Holocaust stories. I hate the Holocaust, as a reasonable person should” (00:29). Brodesser-Akner explains her desire to define her Jewish-American identity beyond the shadow of the Holocaust, leading her to consistently decline Ilana’s father’s request to share his survival story.

The Request: Confronting Mortality and Responsibilities

The turning point arrives when Brodesser-Akner learns of Mr. Lindenblatt’s terminal cancer diagnosis. This news triggers a profound sense of panic and responsibility: “If the youngest people who survived Nazi persecution are dying, then there would be nobody to tell these stories” (00:29). Faced with the imminent loss of a living witness to the Holocaust, she decides to honor his request and begins the arduous process of writing his story.

The Process: Unveiling Mr. Lindenblatt’s Story

As Brodesser-Akner immerses herself in Mr. Lindenblatt’s life, she discovers that his experiences during the Holocaust were markedly different from conventional narratives. “The man I'm writing about lived in Budapest and was sent into hiding in several different places, but he was not in a concentration camp” (02:15). This revelation challenges the common perception that Holocaust narratives must include harrowing concentration camp ordeals to be authentic. Instead, Brodesser-Akner emphasizes the pervasive impact of the Holocaust on every Jewish individual, irrespective of their specific experiences during the war.

Family Legacy: Reconciling Personal History with Collective Trauma

Throughout her research, Brodesser-Akner uncovers parallels between Mr. Lindenblatt’s story and her own family’s history. She reflects on her upbringing in a family of Holocaust survivors who, “never spoke about the Holocaust” (04:30). This silence led her to deny and distance herself from her inherited trauma, a struggle she describes as “part of my running away from it, which was a refusal to define myself in those terms” (05:45). The process of writing Mr. Lindenblatt’s story catalyzes her own reconciliation with her family's past, culminating in an emotional acknowledgment of her survivor heritage: “We are from a Holocaust survivor family” (05:45).

The Dilemma: Balancing Personal Life with Burden of Trauma

Broderesser-Akner grapples with the balance between living a fulfilling personal life and honoring her family’s traumatic legacy. She shares her attempts to engage in typical American experiences—such as attending college, pursuing a career, and raising children—while continually being drawn back to the Holocaust narrative. This internal conflict is poignantly captured when she contemplates, “I became a writer and turned down most of the Jewish assignments” (12:30), highlighting her struggle to escape the weight of inherited trauma.

Legacy and Education: The Imperative of Preserving Survivor Testimonies

The podcast underscores the critical importance of Holocaust education and the preservation of survivor testimonies. Brodesser-Akner discusses the dwindling number of survivors and the consequent gap in firsthand accounts. She raises concerns about the future of Holocaust remembrance when “there is no rational way to explain why from 2018 to 2023... hate crimes against Jews rose by 89%” (45:00). This alarming rise in antisemitism further emphasizes the necessity of documenting and disseminating survivor stories before they are lost forever.

Modern Antisemitism: Resurgence and Its Impact on Memorialization

Broderesser-Akner highlights the resurgence of antisemitism in contemporary society, noting specific incidents such as swastikas spray-painted on synagogues and derogatory caricatures targeting Jewish individuals. She poignantly questions the future of Holocaust narratives amidst this hostility: “What would become of stories like Mr. Lindenblatt's if the generation of mine... decided not to listen?” (50:00). This section illustrates the intersection of historical trauma with present-day prejudices, underscoring the ongoing relevance of Holocaust education.

Technological Solutions: Preserving Testimonies Through Innovation

Addressing the challenge of preserving survivor testimonies, Brodesser-Akner discusses technological initiatives like the USC Shoah Foundation’s Dimensions in Testimony. This project employs artificial intelligence to allow interactive questioning of pre-recorded survivor responses, ensuring that future generations can access these vital narratives even as survivors age out of reach. She reflects on the limitations and emotional barriers of engaging with such technologies: “But there is no version of this story that can honestly interrogate what it needs to here in 2025” (60:00).

The Publication and Mr. Lindenblatt's Death: A Final Farewell

As Brodesser-Akner completes and publishes the article, she visits Mr. Lindenblatt one last time. Despite his declining health, he receives the story with a smile, affirming its importance: “He shook his head and said the word ‘perfect’” (65:30). Shortly after, Mr. Lindenblatt passes away, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and a testament to the human spirit. His funeral is a communal tribute to his life and survival, illustrating the profound impact one individual’s story can have on a community.

Conclusion: Reflections on Storytelling and Legacy

In the episode’s poignant conclusion, Brodesser-Akner reflects on the complexities of telling Holocaust stories and the personal toll it takes. She expresses deep remorse for both delaying and ultimately sharing Mr. Lindenblatt’s narrative: “I am sorry for telling it... but I have to be honest, I'm also sorry for telling it” (68:00). This layered emotion captures the essence of her journey—acknowledging the necessity of preserving history while grappling with the emotional burdens it imposes.

Notable Quotes

• “I sort of hate telling Holocaust stories. I hate the Holocaust, as a reasonable person should.” – Taffy Brodesser-Akner (00:29)

• “If the youngest people who survived Nazi persecution are dying, then there would be nobody to tell these stories.” – Taffy Brodesser-Akner (02:15)

• “We are from a Holocaust survivor family.” – Taffy Brodesser-Akner (05:45)

• “What would become of stories like Mr. Lindenblatt's if the generation of mine... decided not to listen?” – Taffy Brodesser-Akner (50:00)

• “I am sorry for telling it... but I have to be honest, I'm also sorry for telling it.” – Taffy Brodesser-Akner (68:00)

Final Thoughts

“This Is the Holocaust Story I Said I Wouldn’t Write” is a compelling exploration of memory, obligation, and the enduring necessity to document and honor survivor narratives. Through Brodesser-Akner’s intimate recounting, the episode emphasizes the fragile bridge between past and future, highlighting the crucial role of storytelling in combating forgetting and ensuring that the atrocities of the Holocaust remain imprinted in collective consciousness.