Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann will provide a message of life, faith and hope Feb. 20 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Chabad Jewish student center at Ohio University located at 33 N. Court St.

Steigmann will share his story about life in a Nazi labor camp, the medical experiments he was subjected to, how he survived and the many lessons he’s learned throughout his life.

“It is an honor to have Mr. Steigmann visit OHIO and provide students with an opportunity to hear his harrowing story and courageous perspective on life,” said Dr. Gigi Secuban, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion.

The event, a partnership between Rabbi Levy, Students Supporting Israel, The Jewish Heritage Program, The Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity (The Jewish Fraternity), StandWithUs, Zionist Organization of America and Chabad is sponsored by Ohio University’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion; the event will include a bagel and lox meet and greet with Steigmann at 7 p.m.; his program will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Josh Chernomorets, a founding member and member of the Board of Student Directors at Chabad, noted that it has been a goal of Chabad’s since the organization’s establishment to bring a Holocaust survivor to campus to not only tell their stories, but also help spread awareness of the Jewish culture and messages of positivity in a time when anti-Semitism is still a prominent problem.

“Sami Steigmann is without a doubt one of the youngest survivors that any of us will ever meet, and it's important that we bring him to campus to meet as many people as possible to share his story so that we can never forget one of the lowest times in human history,” said Chernomorets. “Everything Sami embodies is the idea that what happens to you in life doesn't define you, and to never under any circumstances act with malice toward any individual or group of people. To say that he's a hero and inspiration is an absolute understatement.”

Those interested in attending the event are encouraged to RSVP at JewishBobcats.com/Sami.