Holocaust Survivor’s Harrowing Story Honored by Sen. Chuck Schumer on Long Island

Holocaust Survivor’s Harrowing Story Honored by Sen. Chuck Schumer on Long Island

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

A century of resilience, courage, and survival was celebrated Monday as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer honored Pina Frassineti Wax, a 100-year-old Holocaust survivor, at the Merrick Senior Center in Long Island. As was reported by The New York Post, Schumer presented Wax with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in her honor, recognizing her extraordinary life story and contributions as a “living legend superwoman.”

Wax shared her harrowing account of surviving the Holocaust alongside her mother Bianca and brother Sergio. During World War II, the family went into hiding in a convent to escape Nazi persecution after Benito Mussolini allied Italy with Nazi Germany and Japan. According to the information provided in The New York Post report, the family’s survival often depended on quick thinking and incredible sacrifices.

Sergio, Wax’s brother, sometimes dressed as a nun to avoid detection, ensuring Nazi soldiers wouldn’t discover he was circumcised during random searches. Wax herself nearly lost her leg to an infection during their time in hiding. Her mother’s unwavering determination saved her life when Bianca walked ten miles to an American army base to demand penicillin, ultimately preventing the amputation.

As the report in The New York Post detailed, Wax’s Italian Jewish heritage, or “Italkim” identity, played a critical role in her survival. Her grandson, Gavin Wax, president of the New York Young Republican Club, explained that their last name, Frassineti, was not easily identifiable as Jewish to Nazi occupiers. Unlike Ashkenazi names such as Goldstein or Goldberg, which could mark individuals for persecution, their Italian surname allowed them to avoid suspicion.

Despite their survival, the family endured profound losses. Wax’s grandfather, a rabbi, was murdered in Auschwitz, and many other extended family members perished in Dachau. These tragedies call attention to the immense personal cost of the Holocaust, which continues to reverberate through generations.

After the war, Wax emigrated to the United States as a war bride with her husband, Mario Wax. Mario had fled Italy and joined the U.S. Army, serving in North Africa during the war. The couple eventually settled in Manhattan, moved to Chicago, and later found a lasting home on Long Island.

In a heartfelt statement read by her daughter, Liza Wax, Frassineti expressed deep gratitude to America for offering her refuge and hope after the war. “I will always be appreciative of America that welcomed me with open arms when I escaped an evil world in Europe,” she said, as reported by The New York Post. She also delivered a powerful message against hatred: “The road to death camps and killing fields is built with hate and paved with indifference. We must always seek to eradicate hate from wherever we see it.”

Gavin Wax, reflecting on his grandmother’s journey, emphasized the importance of sharing her story to ensure future generations understand the horrors of the Holocaust. Speaking to The New York Post, he noted how the family’s history continues to inspire a commitment to combatting hate in all forms.

Frassineti Wax’s passion for education is a central theme in her life. As reported by The New York Post, she pursued advanced degrees at two prestigious institutions, earning her Doctorate of Letters from Sapienza University of Rome and Columbia University. Her commitment to sharing knowledge led her to a career teaching Italian and Italian history at Lake Forest College near Chicago. Her academic contributions helped preserve and promote the rich cultural and historical heritage of Italy, even as she carried the weight of her own traumatic history.

Wax’s legacy extends far beyond her personal achievements. According to the information contained in The New York Post report, her family tree now spans three generations, including her three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Each member of her family represents a testament to her resilience and the enduring spirit of survival. Her story serves as a beacon of hope, showing that life can thrive even after enduring unimaginable hardships.

Having experienced the horrors of war firsthand as a teenager during the Holocaust, Wax is deeply concerned about the plight of children caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In an interview with The New York Post, she called the situation “a complete disgrace” and expressed heartbreak over the suffering of innocent young lives. “They need to save the young people who didn’t do anything. The first priority should be getting the kids out of the war zone,” she said in Italian, with her grandson Gavin Wax translating.

Her words resonate as a call to action, reminding the world of the profound human cost of conflict and the urgency of protecting the most vulnerable—children.

Senator Schumer, who joined the celebration to honor Wax, emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and sharing survivors’ stories. The New York Post reported Schumer’s concern about declining awareness among younger generations, noting, “When we poll the younger generation, they don’t even realize the Holocaust occurred. Our motto is ‘never forget.’” He described Wax’s life as a living testament to history, adding that the best way to remember the Holocaust is to listen to survivors like her.

Schumer’s recognition of Wax on the Senate floor will further amplify her story, ensuring her message of resilience, education, and the fight against hatred reaches a wider audience.

Frassineti Wax’s journey from surviving the Holocaust to becoming an educator and advocate exemplifies a life dedicated to overcoming hate and building bridges of understanding. As The New York Post report captured, her commitment to eradicating hatred and protecting the vulnerable emphasizes her enduring relevance in today’s world. Her words and actions remind us of the importance of education, empathy, and vigilance in the fight against hatred and indifference.

As Wax’s life is celebrated, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of bearing witness to history to ensure that its darkest chapters are never repeated.