On the same day he was laid to rest, Aaron Eelster is still teaching.
Eelster was one of 15 holocaust survivors whose memories have been preserved in the form of an interactive hologram at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie. The CEO of the Illinois Holocaust Museum, Susan Abrams, says Elster's memories and experiences will live on to educate future generations about what he and his family endured. Elster passed away last week at the age of 86, but not before answering more than 2,000 questions to create a holographic presentation on his experiences as a survivor.
"He has left behind the most special gift," she said.
As a young Jewish boy in Poland, Elster hid from the Nazi's in his neighbor’s attic.
"I begged and somehow it must have reached her heart, she said 'OK, but I will only let you up in the attic for a few days," he said.
After he was liberated, he came to America where he was one of the founders of the Holocaust museum and one of its most eloquent supporters and teachers.
"Aaron was the most remarkable man living through the worst history could offer," Abrams said. "He really dedicated his life to making sure those kinds of awful situations could not happen to others."
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NBC 5 asked the hologram of Elster Monday how he would like to be remembered.
"I would like for future generations to know my story, what I overcame to survive as a lesson that they can overcome all kinds of adversity, that I made some impact on somebody’s life--that’s my desire," he said.
