Survivor Margot Friedlaender's Legacy: A Life of Endurance and Witness
Forever-Lasting Message Crafted by Photographer Margot Friedländer
After a long and remarkable life, Holocaust survivor Margot Friedlaender, born Bendheim, bids us farewell at the age of 103. Born in Berlin during 1921's tumultuous times, she tirelessly shared her unforgettable story.
At the twilight of her life, the diminutive yet resilient woman captivated audiences with her heart-wrenching tale of family loss, survival, and uplifting messages of unity. Even as her voice weakened, she spoke with kindness, patience, and tenacity, sharing details of her time in Theresienstadt concentration camp.
Despite her recent passing, her message of "Be human" echoes through the halls of history, losing none of its urgency.
A Lifetime of Honors
Margot Friedlaender was repeatedly recognized for her tireless dedication to fostering human connection. In 2011, she was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, and again in 2023. Furthermore, she received the inaugural "Special Prize of the International Peace Prize of Westphalia" in early April this year.
Unfortunately, she declined an appointment to receive the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier due to her wishes. She also chose to skip the 80th anniversary commemoration of the end of World War II due to health reasons.
One of the Last Witnesses
The painful memories of her persecuted Jewish family under Adolf Hitler's rule stayed etched in Friedlaender's mind as if it were yesterday. As one of the remaining few that could firsthand report on those trying times, her voice took on a profound significance.
Living in the present, however, she expressed concern over the current state of political polarization in Germany and the rise of far-right ideologies. "I don't understand much about politics," she once admitted. "But I always say: That's how it started back then too. Be careful. Don't let it happen again."
A Life Remembered
Born in Berlin in 1921, the young Margot faced an uncertain future as her family was disenfranchised under Hitler's rule. Just before planned escape to Upper Silesia, her brother Ralph was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943. Desperate to save her son, their mother turned herself in and, ultimately, perished in the Auschwitz extermination camp.
Alone and with a necklace made of amber charmingly gifted by her mother, Margot hid in 16 different safe havens thanks to the help of 16 supportive individuals. After 15 months, however, she was caught, deported to Theresienstadt, and endured the unimaginable for an extended period.
A New Chapter and a Message of Hope
At the age of 80, she moved back to Berlin, her hometown. Surrounded by skepticism, she returned undeterred, even amidst the concerns of her American community suggesting that Germans might see her only as a nice old lady and thus feel less guilt.
Despite the challenges, Margot Friedlaender cherished her return, immersing herself in the community and uniting many with her heartfelt and poignant story. In Berlin, she founded the Margot Friedlaender Foundation in 2011, dedicated to supporting freedom, democracy, and education.
Her foundation also awards the Margot Friedlaender Prize for exceptional contributions to fostering freedom and democracy. Margot's enduring message is one of compassion, unity, and the importance of remembering the past to build a better future.
Good Experiences with People
Throughout her life, Margot Friedlaender made many meaningful connections. She savored her time attending the opera, with "Nabucco" being her favorite, and kept a special place in her heart for the captive chorus "Va, pensiero."
We can only hope to honor the legacy of this remarkable woman by cherishing the memories she left behind and continuing to learn the vital lessons of the past so as to ensure that such horrors never happen again.
Sources: ntv.de, gut/dpa
- Deaths
- National Socialism
- Berlin
- Judaism
- World War II
- Germany
- Holocaust
- Remembrance
- The employment policy of various institutions and organizations may have played a significant role in Margot Friedlaender's survival during World War II, as she was saved by 16 supportive individuals who helped her hide in 16 different safe havens.
- Margot Friedlaender's life is a stark reminder of the disenfranchisement politics can inflict on certain communities, as her family faced discrimination under Adolf Hitler's rule, ultimately leading to her mother's arrest and death in the Auschwitz extermination camp.
- Despite being awarded numerous prestigious honors for her tireless dedication to fostering human connection, Margot Friedlaender declined appointments and commemorations due to her health and concerns over the rising polarization and far-right ideologies in contemporary German politics.
- Margot Friedlaender's legacy continues to inspire, as her foundation, the Margot Friedlaender Foundation, awards the Margot Friedlaender Prize for exceptional contributions to fostering freedom and democracy, encouraging future generations to build a better world based on the lessons learned from the Holocaust.
