Nesse Godin is a survivor of the Shauliai, Lithuania Ghetto, the Stutthof Concentration Camp, four labor camps and a death march. She has dedicated her adult life to teaching and sharing memories of the holocaust. Nesse has the ability to translate the Holocaust into a personal glimpse of this enormous and horrifying drama.

She has appeared  before a variety of audiences including the Naval Academy, West Point Military Academy, the department of  Defense, the Department of Energy, numerous Schools, Churches, Synagogues, Civic groups and Teacher’s Conferences. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is fortunate to have  Nesse Godin as a member of their Speaker’ bureau.

Nesse  is the President of the Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Friends of Greater Washington. She is also on the Board of Directors and Founding Member of several Holocaust Survivor groups. Nesse served  on the Board of Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and is a board member of the Anti-Defamation League, The Jewish Community Council and many other worthy Organizations. She has participated as a speaker for the Capitol Children’s Museum of Washington, D.C.

Numerous awards and honors have been given to Nesse including the “Myrtle Wreath” by the Hadassah Council and the Chaim Solomon Freedom Medal by B’nai B’rith Argo Lodge. She has also received the Woman of Valor Award by three different organizations- B’nai B’rith Women, Naamat USA, and Amit Women Birah Chapter.

In 1990 The Maryland Commission on Women chose Nesse as one of the “Unsung Heroines” of the State of Maryland”. In 1991,1993 and 1999 Nesse was honored with an award from the Department of  Defense and the National Security Agency for her work on the Holocaust Days of Remembrance.

Special recognitions were awarded to Nesse in 1993 by the Commission on Children and Youth. In 1994 she was Honored by the Girl’s Probation House of Fairfax Virginia. In 1995 Nesse was recognized by the Fort Myer Military Community. In 1996 she was honored by Aberdeen Proving Ground Military, and by the Fort Richie and Fort Mead for her dedication in teaching the Holocaust.

In 1997, 1998, and 1999 Nesse was honored with awards by the Quantico Marine University and in June  of 1997, Nesse received the Distinguished Service Award by the Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington.

In gratitude for sharing memories with the students of James Madison High School in Virginia an Honorary Degree was bestowed upon Nesse on June 17,1997.

In 1998 and 1999 Nesse received awards from  the Department of Energy and the Uniformed Services University of Health and Sciences.

On November 15, 1998 Nesse Godin was presented the Eli Wiesel Holocaust Remembrance Medal in recognition of her dedication to remember the victims of the Holocaust and for teaching the consequences of hatred to both children and adults.

In 1999, Nesse was presented  the  L’Chaim /Celebration of Life Award by the State of Israel Bonds in recognition of her dedication to teach the Holocaust. In 1999 she was honored by the U.S. Army Concepts and Analysis Agency, the Montgomery County Police Bethesda District, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School Davenshire Alternative School, The Marine Corps University and others.

In 2000 Nesse Godin received awards from the United States Department Of Energy,The National Naval Medical Center,The Naval Surfare Center ,Carderock Division ,The united States Coast Guard  and Andrews Air Force Base.

In December of 2000 Nesse was presented with a special award by the United Synagogue Youth  Organization, “The Rodef Tzedek” award, ( The Seeker of Justice).

In 2001 Nesse was recognized by the Fort Belvoir Equal opportunity Program for her participation in the days of remembrance observance.

On April 12th 2001 the Paul Peck Humanities Institute at Montgomery College presented  Nesse Godin with an honorary degree for her dedication to the teaching and sharing memories of the Holocaust.

In 2002 Nesse was key note Speaker for many Days Of Remembrance programs such as The Naval Academy Class of 2002, The American Legion Boys Nation, The National Center for Cold and  Coldwater Aquaculture of the Agriculture Department, The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy and many more.

In 2003 The West Point Military presented  Nesse with Saber in recognition of her dedication to teach what hatred can do. She also was recognized  by Fort Campbell  and other worthy organizations. In July of 2003 Nesse was made a honorary Citizen of the Boys Nation for her dedication to teach what hatred and prejudice can do.

In 2004 Nesse spoke to many agencies and groups for the UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM.

In January of 2005 Nesse was guest speaker for the United Nations.

Nesse received a certificate of appreciation from the Goddard Space Center where she gave a presentation.

In 2006 Nesse was Honored by Fort Belvoir for her dedication to humanity.

She was one of the speakers at the rally on behalf of the people of Darfur.

In 2007 Nesse was honored for her participation by several Catholic Schools, The Boys Nation and the Girls Nation sponsored by the American Legion. She received certificates of Appreciation from many Universities and Military such as Fort Gordon and Bowling Air Force base.

Nesse’s  life story has appeared in numerous publications such as the Washingtonian Magazine, Scholastic News, The Gazette, the Pentagram and the Washington Post. Nesse has appeared on many T.V. and Radio programs and specials, such as “In Memory of Millions” by Walter Cronkite,  Beyond Hate “with Bill Moyers  and Tolerance in America that comes on the A&E Cable Chanel.  Nesse’s testimony appeared in the “Liberation Exhibit” at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum . January 6th 2001 She appeared on the History channel  in “Holocaust ,The Untold Story”.

Nesse Godin was born in Siauliai, Lithuania  where she lived with her parents and two brothers until the Nazi invasion.

In 1950 she and her husband Jack also a survivor, came to the U.S. and settled in the Washington D.C. area. Nesse and Jack are the proud parents of a son and two daughters, and seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Comments on Nesse's Program:

"Nesse is truly a remarkable woman. According to a senior faculty member, this was the best attended and most well received program in the last twenty years."

– Rev. Ron Singleton
Limestone College, Gaffney, SC