Jan. 9 community center event presented by Folsom Chabad, Hosted by Cristina Mendonsa
Residents of Folsom and the surrounding areas will have a rare opportunity to hear the firsthand story of Andra Bucci, one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz, during a special event this Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Folsom Community Center.
Bucci, who now resides in Elk Grove, was just a young girl when she was sent from Italy to the Holocaust death camps. Born in 1939 to a Catholic father and Jewish mother, she endured unimaginable horrors during one of history’s darkest periods. Alongside her sister, Bucci is among the youngest survivors of Auschwitz and has spent much of her life as a witness to history, sharing her experiences to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten.
Since 1995, Bucci and her sister have returned to Auschwitz-Birkenau numerous times, often accompanied by student groups. Their testimony of survival has reached thousands, from school children to large public audiences, as they recount not only the evil they witnessed but also the resilience and hope that carried them through. In 2022, the sisters co-authored a memoir, Always Remember Your Name, detailing their experiences. Their story was recently featured in a KCRA documentary and will soon become the subject of a feature-length film.
“It’s an honor for us to host Andra, and we’re so fortunate that she has agreed to come to Folsom in person to share her riveting story,” said Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum of the Chabad Jewish Community Center, which is presenting the event. “I encourage everyone who can—young and old—to come hear this remarkable person tell her incredible story of courage, faith, and survival.”
The evening will be hosted by media personality Cristina Mendonsa of News 93.1 KFBK and Mendonsa Media. Attendees will hear Bucci recount her harrowing experiences during the Holocaust and the resilience that enabled her survival. A Q&A session will follow, offering the audience an opportunity to engage with her directly.
Tickets for “Never Forget Your Name: An Evening with Holocaust Survivor Andra Bucci” are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Folsom Community Center, located at 52 Natoma Street in Folsom. Students with valid ID can purchase advance tickets for $5, thanks to event sponsors. For tickets and additional information, visit www.jewishfolsom.org/remember or call 916-608-9811 ext. 101.
The event is organized by the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Folsom, which has served Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and the surrounding areas since 2007. The center’s mission is to promote education, morality, and decency through diverse programs that impact the community in positive ways.
