Dr Margaret Taft is a Research Affiliate at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University, where her research focused on the reconstruction of Jewish immigrant life in prewar and postwar twentieth century Australia, particularly the Yiddish speakers of Eastern Europe. As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, she retains a particular interest in the impact of the Holocaust on its descendants. She is a published author of several books including her most recent, The Woman in the Photographs, an exploration of her mother’s Holocaust experience in Poland. Margaret is an experienced teacher, lecturer and public speaker with a passion for Holocaust education. At the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Margaret volunteers as an adult and corporate group guide and educator.

Suzy Zail writes contemporary and historical fiction for Young Adults that shines a light on injustice, including bestselling novel The Wrong Boy, shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards,  I Am Change, included in Amnesty International’s top pick of books that explore human rights and encourage activism, Alexander Altmann A10567, a Notable book at the CBCA awards and Inkflower, winner of the 2024 CBCA Shadow Judging Book of the Year, and shortlisted for the YABBAs, the Centre of Youth Literature’s Book Link’s Award for Children’s Historical fiction, and the ASLA DANZ Children’s Book Award. Her latest novel, out in August, A New Kind of Beautiful, turns the spotlight on disability. Through her stories, Suzy works to instil compassion and empathy in her readers.

Professor Gilah Leder AM was born in the Netherlands in December 1941. Her family came to Australia in the early 1950s, in time for her to start her secondary school studies. She has had a distinguished academic career and is internationally recognised for her work on gender, equity, and students’ learning in mathematics. In recognition of life-time academic achievement and leadership in mathematics education she was awarded the prestigious  Felix Klein medal.  She is now a Professor Emerita at Monash University and at La Trobe University. In addition to her scholarly career, Gilah brings to this panel the perspective of a child survivor, and a deep understanding of how early experiences can shape identity, resilience, and lifelong learning. Gilah is married to Jack, also a child survivor. They have five grandchildren.

Dr. Jack Leder was born in Brussels in 1939 after his parents and older brother had escaped from Vienna in 1938 with the aim of getting to England. His father was sent for internment in France because he was regarded as a German. But after about 2 years he was deported to and murdered in Auschwitz. Jack and his mother, grandmother and brother managed to survive in Belgium on false papers and with occasional help from strangers, but particularly due to his mother’s courage and resilience. In 1948, they arrived in Australia where Jack was educated and graduated in Medicine in 1962. He worked as a GP for nearly 40 years, and has been active in Jewish organizations. He married Gilah, also a Holocaust Survivor, and is a proud father of two and grandfather of five. He tells his story to schoolchildren at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum because he feels that relating his experience can have some positive lessons for the next generation.

Tania Szwarcberg is a third-generation descendant of Holocaust survivors and feels a strong responsibility to carry forward her family’s history. While her maternal grandparents were reluctant to share their experiences during WW2, her paternal grandfather, Joe Szwarcberg, whom she calls Zajda, is a regular speaker at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum and is deeply committed to sharing his story. Now 95 years old, Joe continues to educate others, and Tania, alongside her siblings and cousins, recognises the importance of preserving these stories and passing them on to future generations.