“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.

I am Jewish. The Nazis attempted to eradicate all Jews from the face of the earth. This was known as the Nazi’s Final Solution. Schindler’s List should be mandatory viewing by all people.

If you haven’t seen the film, I’d encourage you to take a moment of silence, but skip the first clip. It’s better to experience this climax in the context of the rest of the film.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I took so long to see this movie. I’m not sure why I avoided it. I did not want to confront the subject matter and viscerally feel the horror that was wrought on my family. I also assumed that the main character was a hero, through and through. How naive. Schindler is a deeply complex character.

Schindler was a failed businessman. An alcoholic. A womanizer. He was a German spy; a Nazi party member. He saw an opportunity and he took advantage of the Jews, something he felt benefited both himself and them. When the Nazis begin to force his workers into labor camps, Schindler is upset because “They’re mine! Every day that goes by, I’m losing money.”

I have selected a second favorite scene from Schindler’s List. I love the visual this scene creates – we see the deep, black divide that separates Schindler and Goeth. Schindler looming above Goeth. The empathetic world facing the Nazis. Good versus evil.

But what we’re watching Schindler risk with Goeth is more subtle and incredible. He attempts to convince Goeth that everyone will benefit from Schindler’s buying these Jews.

We see a man who witnessed absolute atrocities of hate and this changed him. He starts as a greedy man who wants nothing but to make money, drink and womanize. And when he’s gotten everything he wants, he says “I’ve done what I came here for. I’ve got more money than any man can spend in a lifetime.” And he decides to use his large wealth to save those that helped him make it.

Goeth does not understand how Schindler stands to gain from paying money to save these Jews. Schindler trades his life for their lives. Did any of the Navis know that he was doing this out of true kindness? Were they complicit in saving these Jews, shunning their hatred for greed?

Schindler regrets he didn’t do more to help. I hope he knew overwhelmingly that he saved the world entire thousands of times over. Thank you to Schindler and to all people who stand up to hate. You are my true heroes.