In this powerful episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with Holocaust survivor Herb Kohn, whose journey from Nazi-occupied Europe to becoming a Kansas City legal legend spans over eight decades. Through intimate storytelling and profound reflection, this conversation reveals how faith, resilience, and love can persist even in humanity’s darkest moments. The episode culminates in a deeply moving reading of a final love letter written from Auschwitz, offering a timeless testament to the endurance of the human spirit and the power of love.

Key moments from this remarkable conversation:

• From Survival to Success: When the Nazis invaded Holland, four-year-old Herb and his family fled by bicycle, narrowly escaping capture through his mother’s quick thinking and the kindness of strangers. Moving from hiding place to hiding place, they eventually found sanctuary with Catholic nuns who risked their lives to protect them.
• The Price of Prejudice: As Adam explores how Hitler rose to power, Herb reflects on the dangerous pattern of scapegoating that emerges during economic hardship – a pattern he sees echoing in today’s rising antisemitism. His insights offer a sobering warning about how quickly prejudice can transform from undercurrent to mainstream.
• A Letter of Eternal Love: The episode’s most powerful moment comes when Herb shares his grandfather’s final letter from Auschwitz, written knowing he faced death in the gas chamber. His words of devotion to his wife of 36 years remind us that love transcends even the most horrific circumstances: “Forever and however it will be, my heart and soul will always be with you.”
• Building Bridges Through Understanding: Drawing from his successful career in mediation, Herb discusses how finding common ground between conflicting parties offers lessons for healing today’s political and social divides. His insights reveal how understanding “even the thinnest pancake has two sides” can lead to reconciliation.
• The Power of Purpose: At 84, Herb launched a new mediation practice, challenging conventional notions of retirement. His continued dedication to serving others demonstrates how purpose and meaning enrich life at any age.

For anyone wrestling with questions about faith, hope, and humanity’s capacity for both cruelty and compassion, this episode offers profound insights from someone who has lived through history’s darkest chapter yet emerged with an unwavering spirit. Adam’s thoughtful exploration of Herb’s story reminds us that even in our most challenging moments, love and hope can prevail. Don’t miss this powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love.