Praises for Speaking Through Silence

Readers, educators, and thought leaders are saying Speaking Through Silence is a powerful story of legacy, resilience, and the responsibility to speak up.

“Speaking Though Silence brings a cinematic touch to a family tale. Judi’s grandparents jump off the page, illuminating both their resilience and her responsibility to transmit their wisdom. Deeply personal, yet relevant to all, this sharply written memoir invites readers to find themselves in a family that might be their own.”

– Salvador Litvak (aka The Accidental Talmudist), filmmaker, author, social media influencer

“This book is a treasure. In a future world where our student will never have the opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor, this book will ensure that the stories of survivors endure. Through these heartfelt accounts of Jewish history, resilience and survival, future generations will find not only understanding, but also a profound sense of Jewish pride and responsibility”

– Rabbi Marcia A. Zimmerman, Temple Israel Minneapolis, Minnesota

“Speaking Through Silence is more than one family’s history; it is a riveting testimonial of ordinary individuals who lived extraordinary lives. Judi Shink shares the stories of her Holocaust survivor grandparents to remind the world that the past is never truly past and that remembering is a responsibility for generations to come.”

– Jennifer Sonterre, professor of history/political science, Anoka Ransey Community College

“Judi Shink transforms silence into something profound and enduring. This is more than a memoir; it is a living act of bearing witness and a bridge between generations. With grace and clarity, Shink’s Speaking Through Silence invites readers into a story that is universally relatable and one that stays with you long after the final page. It is the kind of book that should be read widely-in classrooms and in communities around the world. Judi Shrink offers more than a personal narrative; she provides a lens through which we can better understand memory, resilience, and the importance of bearing witness. Essential reading for anyone seeking connection and meaning in a complex time. Honest, heartfelt, and beautifully told, this memoir will resonate with anyone who has ever wondered how their family’s past shapes their present and informs their future.”

– Heidi Shertok, author of Unorthodox Love and Match Me If You Can

““In Speaking Through Silence, Judi Shink weaves together the stories of her four Holocaust survivor grandparents with honesty, compassion, and deep humanity. This heartfelt, powerful book offers an intimate and deeply meaningful way to understand the lasting impact of the Holocaust.””

– Merle R. Saferstein, author and former Holocaust museum director

“Sometimes it feels like things are happening in the world that are too big for any one person to make a difference. You coming here and speaking to over 600 teenagers and adults gave me the example of one person making a difference. Thank you for sharing your family in such a personal way. I think it kept people with a range of views open, instead of closed, to hearing the impact of being a bystander vs an upstander in our world. I know it made a difference to me. Thank you again for what you are doing”

– Parent

“At the end of our time together, Ms. Shink told my students that as she is a Holocaust witness, with intimate knowledge of her grandparents’ firsthand experiences, so they too are now witnesses. She empowered my students to be part of the world that never forgets. I cannot imagine teaching a Holocaust literature unit without this sort of opportunity, again. Everything we read and studied come to life and mattered in new and tangible ways. I highly recommend Ms. Shink to any organization that seeks to not only know and preserve the truths of the Holocaust, but desires to promote connected ness to one another and to those who want to be agents of peace for all people”

– Teacher

“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity our students had to learn from you yesterday. Your presentations were powerful in the way they combined personal stories about your grandfather with important historical information and context, and also a crucial call for all of us to be intentional about never forgetting and about finding courage to intervene when we witness antisemitism. I had been looking forward to your visit and the message you would deliver to our students. I sensed from our earlier conversations that it would be good. But in reality of the visit surpassed my hopes. The students were attentive and engaged, and left the Concert Hall thinking and talking about what they had just heard. You’ve helped us build a foundation for ongoing work in the area of upstander skills. Thank you for making the trip and working with our community.”

– Head of School