"How dangerous ideas can be, when they turn us to hatred." The story of Andrew Schot

AZPM | By Mark McLemore

Published January 28, 2026 at 9:17 AM MST

Holocaust Remembrance Schot Hero — In 1948, at age 17, Andrew (center bottom) was living with his mother and sister Mimmie in Amsterdam. He is posing with his amateur theatre group, which performed the musical Oklahoma (translated into Dutch).

"How dangerous ideas can be, when they turn us to hatred." The story of Andrew Schot

Featured on the January 22th, 2026 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

_Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 is the International Day of Holocaust Remembrance. In observance of this important date, AZPM presents a tale of survival from the “Children of the Holocaust” series, produced by Laura Markowitz. Andrew Schot was just 11 years old when he and his sister hid in the fields of Northern Holland to escape the Nazis. Andrew Schot passed away in Tucson on January 11th, 2026 at the age of 94._

To better understand the purpose and meaning of the International Day of Holocaust Remembrance, Mark spoke with Lori Shepherd. She is the executive director of the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center.

Lori Shepard Museum Interview 2026 — Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, Executive Director Lori Shepherd.

TJMHC exterior hero — The Tucson Jewish Museum building was the first synagogue built in the Arizona Territory, years before statehood. The historic building is now the central location of the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, where the history and culture of Jews in Southern Arizona is presented through dynamic exhibitions.

Kugelman exhibit2 — The late Bill Kugelman, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, views an exhibit at the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center.

Be aware that the following story contains details of the attempted genocide of the Jewish people, and may not be suitable for all listeners.

Between 1941 to 1945, Germany's Nazi regime murdered two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population. Of the six million Jews who were victims of the Holocaust, an estimated 1.5 million were children. Against all odds, some children managed to survive. “Children of the Holocaust” is AZPM’s living-history project produced by Laura Markowitz Beginning in 2022, she interviewed twenty child survivors who were living in Southern Arizona. Five of them have since died.

COTH Schot 04 1920 — In 1950, Andrew (center front) sailed to the United States with his mother and sister Mimmie on the SS Veendam. He turned 19 during the crossing.

Webpage by Sarah Arellano.

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"How dangerous ideas can be, when they turn us to hatred." The story of Andrew Schot