A Birth OF A New Beginning: Our Parent’s Stories

featured:
Joel Lassman
November 20,  2020

Joel Lassman was born in a displaced persons camp near Munich, Germany. Joel’s family immigrated to the United States in 1949 after receiving sponsorship from the Jewish Community of Spokane, WA. He graduated from high school in 1967 and then attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

After graduation and receiving a commission, Joel remained in the Navy for 20 years retiring in 1991 with the rank of Commander (Lt Colonel equivalent). Joel’s second career was as an elementary special education teacher which he did for 18 years.

Joel’s mother was a survivor speaker for over 25 years in the Pacific Northwest. Following his move to the Phoenix area in 2013, Joel joined the Phoenix Holocaust Association and became a member of Speakers Bureau. In 2017, he was honored to become the Speakers Bureau Coordinator. Joel and his wife have one daughter who lives in the San Francisco area.