STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On Dec. 15, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of Advance/SILive.com hosted its 11th panel discussion, “Conversation with Community Giants: History, Humanity and Hope: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story,” at the Advance/SILive.com headquarters in Bloomfield.
The hour-long event was viewed by thousands on the Advance Facebook Live platform.
Featured panelists were Arthur Spielman, a Holocaust survivor who grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Kraków, Poland; James Merlino, a Wagner College student and Holocaust Center intern; and Dr. Lori R. Weintrob, founding director of the Wagner College Holocaust Center and professor of history.
The discussion was co-moderated by Brian Laline, executive editor of the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com, and columnist Dr. Gracelyn Santos.
The program opened with remarks from Caroline Harrison, CEO of Advance Local and publisher of the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com.
“Thank you, Gracelyn, thank you, Brian, and thank you to our Advance DEI committee for, once again, putting together an excellent panel and discussion for us,” Harrison said. “And a special welcome to our panelists on this day, the first full day of Hanukkah, which is very meaningful.
“But as we celebrate today, we also face a backdrop of harsh realities — not just of our past, but also of our present — as we reflect on the events of this past weekend. Chilling, shocking, and making this discussion today even more relevant.”
“Conversation with Community Giants: History, Humanity and Hope: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story” featured Holocaust survivor Arthur Spielman, 97, who holds up a photo of his younger self during the Holocaust. (Advance/SILive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)History, Humanity and Hope: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story”
Spielman, a former Staten Islander who now calls New Jersey home, had turned 97 just five days earlier on Dec. 10.
During the discussion, he shared reflections shaped by both history and current events.
As the panel discussion unfolded, Spielman shared his lived Holocaust experience, while Weintrob shared her personal and professional challenges and triumphs leading the Holocaust Center.
Merlino shared insights from his perspective as a student pursuing a master’s degree in the medical field and volunteering within the Staten Island community.
In his opening question to Spielman, Laline referenced the Dec. 14 mass murder in which two gunmen opened fire on families celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
“Fifteen people were murdered in a mass shooting in Australia,” Laline said. “How do you feel today, 80 years later — after all the work that has been done to erase and dispel the horrors of the Holocaust — when we still see antisemitism? Does it bring you back?”
To view the panel discussion, click here.
“Conversation with Community Giants: History, Humanity and Hope: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story” was held at Advance headquarters, Bloomfield, on Dec. 15, 2025. Pictured are, from left, Dr. Lori Weintrob, Exec. Director of the Wagner College Holocaust Center; Holocaust survivor Arthur Spielman, 97; James Merlino, intern at Holocaust Center. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)
Spielman responded candidly, drawing connections between his past and the present.
“I have a niece who lives in Sydney. She was here a few weeks ago. I fear for them, because I experienced years ago what I experienced in Kraków, Poland,” Spielman said. “I see what’s going on — the demonstrations, what’s happening here in New York, in California, Memphis, Tennessee.
“It’s scary. I’m not an optimist. I lived through the Holocaust. I went into hiding. I was smuggled across borders. What’s happening now is very scary.”
Laline then posed the same question to Merlino, asking for the perspective of a young person involved in Holocaust education.
“It is very painful to see,” Merlino said. “And the mentality I take is to be open to all, because even when becoming part of a Holocaust Center, I myself am not Jewish.”
Merlino explained that he joined the Holocaust Center through a history teacher and often encounters surprise from others.
“Conversation with Community Giants: History, Humanity and Hope: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story” was held at Advance headquarters, Bloofield, on Dec. 15, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)(Advance/SILive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos)
“They ask, ‘Are you Jewish? If you’re not Jewish, why are you working there?’” Merlino said. “Even though I’m Catholic, my faith teaches love for your neighbor. In the end, everyone should feel safe practicing whatever religious beliefs they choose.
“Everyone should feel safe in their home, in their community, and on their campus. Seeing acts of hate like these — whether against members of the Jewish community, Catholic, Muslim — it should all be condemned as hateful violence. It’s very painful.”
Weintrob emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in the face of hate.
“It was the first night of Hanukkah, with families trying to light candles in a public place,” Weintrob said. “When there’s an attack like that, not only the Jewish community has to come together, but communities of all faiths must stand together and say this is not acceptable.”
“Conversation with Community Giants: History, Humanity and Hope: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story” was held at Advance headquarters, Bloomfield, on Dec. 15, 2025. Pictured are co-moderators, Dr. Gracelyn Santos and Brian Laline, Advance executive editor. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)(Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)
She added, “We won’t allow it to happen. We’re going to make sure that wherever we are — including on Staten Island — we continue to celebrate, and that we count on our neighbors to help keep us safe.
“And we continue to promote dialogue so that young people growing up don’t feel compelled to act out hate in this way.”
The event was produced by the Advance’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, comprised of Kelli DeSantis, Shane DiMaio, Jason Paderon, Dr. Gracelyn Santos (chairwoman), and Felicia Torres, and was attended by newsroom staff both in person and remotely.
To view the panel discussion, click here.
– The DEI Committee of the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com will host a panel discussion, Conversation with Community Giants – History, Humanity, and Hope: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story, on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, from 2–3 p.m. Panelists are James Merlino, left, Arthur Spielman, James Merlino and Dr. Lori R. Weintrob.Advance
CHECK OUT PAST PANELS
The event follows on the success of the DEI committee’s past discussions:“Conversation with Community Giants: Celebrating Black History”(March 2024);“Women’s Heart Health,”(May 2024);“Celebrating Pride”(July 2024);“Celebrating Women in Leadership”(Sept. 2024);“Building Strong Foundations and Inclusive Boards,”(Oct. 2024).
Also: “Women, Work and Wealth” (Jan. 2025); “Celebrating Diverse Abilities” (March 26); “Breaking the Silence of Staten Island Food Insecurity” (June 2025); “Bridging Critical Stroke Care Disparities” (Aug. 2025); ‘Women Leaders Driving Equity and Impact’ (Sept. 25, 2025).