Wagner College Holocaust Center to plant Anne Frank sapling in living memorial to resilience

Wagner College will host a historic ceremony on May 5, 2026, when a sapling grown from the Anne Frank tree in Amsterdam will be planted on campus as a living memorial dedicated to resilience, remembrance, and interfaith understanding.

The sapling, provided through the Anne Frank Center USA, connects Staten Island directly to one of the most enduring historic symbols. Visible from the secret annex where Anne Frank wrote her diary, the original whitehorse chestnut tree became a source of hope for her during her years in hiding.

Laura Morowitz, senior programming and research associate for the Wagner Holocaust Center reflected , "The sapling represents both continuity and a fresh start. It reminds us of the very real tangible reality of Anne's life, but is also a symbol of resilience."

Wagner College will be one of only three locations in New York City, and among a limited number of sites nationwide, to receive a sapling descended from the original tree.

The initiative began in May 2025, when Leo S. Ullman and Katherine Ullman reached out to propose bringing the sapling to campus. Ullman, who was himself hidden as a child in the Netherlands during the Holocaust, grounded the proposal in both personal history and collective memory. In his original letter, he wrote that the tree “was much loved by Anne Frank and was referenced fondly in her Diary,” adding that he would “greatly value the opportunity to arrange the potential delivery of a sapling” to campus.

Ullman further emphasized Wagner’s role in Holocaust education, noting that he considered its faculty, notably Drs. Lori Weintrob and Laura Morowitz, “among the most outstanding professors/teachers of the Holocaust” he had encountered, citing the college’s programming and student engagement as key reasons for selecting the campus.

Planning efforts quickly took shape through collaboration with Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, who visited Wagner College in June 2025 to tour potential planting sites. Support from key members of the Wagner College Holocaust Center Advisory Board, including Dr. Victor and Kim Avis and chair Fern Zagor, helped secure institutional backing, with President Jeffrey Doggett ultimately approving the project.

Organizers also made clear that the ceremony would center young people and education. The inclusion of the PS22 Chorus was seen as essential, reinforcing that “this is a tree for Staten Island and NYC youth and Wagner College students.” Musical selections will include “I Am a Star,” inspired by Holocaust survivor Inge Auerbacher, “When the Children Cry,” and “We Shall Overcome,” performed in English and Spanish.

The event will emphasize moral courage and interfaith unity, connecting Jewish, Christian, and Muslim experiences of rescue and solidarity. Organizers highlighted the importance of “having the courage to build bridges of faith,” a theme reflected both in the history behind the sapling and in its future role on campus.

Faculty say the memorial will serve not only as a site of reflection but also as a living part of campus life. Lori Weintrob, the director of the Holocaust Center, emphasized its broader impact: “Living memorials inspire growth of and unity in the community. This is another way Wagner College is connected to Staten Island and NYC.”

The planting also aligns with the Holocaust Center’s evolving mission. Organizers are developing new curriculum initiatives focused on Anne Frank, Miep Gies, and Leo Ullman, alongside the stories of their rescuers, to help students “expand their cultural knowledge and ethical decision-making.”

For those involved, the sapling represents more than a historical artifact. It reflects years of work to engage students and the broader community in Holocaust education and moral action. As the faculty and Board members of the Wagner College Holocaust Center described, the tree stands as “a culmination of our efforts to inspire the youth of NYC to be upstanders,” encouraging future generations to listen, act, and build connections across communities.