Farewell to Holocaust Survivor and National Treasure, Margot Friedländer
Holocaust survivor, Margot Friedländer, has passed away.
Germany lost a valuable asset in the fight against forgetting, as Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer, aged 103, passed away. Born as Margot Bendheim in Berlin on November 5, 1921, a young Jewish girl, she endured unimaginable horrors during World War II, losing her entire immediate family[1][3]. Despite this, she returned to Berlin and became a beacon of hope and resilience for the nation.
Holocaust survivor, presidential guest, and honorary citizen of Berlin, Margot Friedländer's story echoed across Germany and beyond. Her memoirs, "Try to Make Your Life" and the documentary "Witnesses We Can No Longer Be," shared her experiences with the world[2].
A master storyteller and tireless educator, Friedländer made it her mission to ensure that the atrocities of the Holocaust were never forgotten[2]. She reached out to young audiences in schools and at official commemorative events[5]. One such event was her powerful speech at the EU Parliament in Brussels at the age of 100[5].
Her presence and words had a profound impact on those who heard her. With grace and dignity, she embodied hope and moral courage, serving as a symbol of resilience for all[2][4].
In 2018, Friedländer was awarded honorary citizenship of Berlin, and the following year, she was recognized with a documentary drama by ZDF[4]. Even at the age of 102, she remained active, meeting with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and speaking at the Federal Press Ball at the Brandenburg Gate[4].
Despite the immense personal loss she suffered during the Holocaust, Friedländer chose to focus on the future. One of her messages was clear: "What has happened, we cannot change, but it must never happen again"[5]. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations to learn from the past and to advocate for tolerance and understanding.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke of his deep sorrow at Friedländer's passing: "She brought reconciliation to our country - despite everything that the Germans had done to her as a young person. We can never be grateful enough for this gift"[2]. Hate, according to Friedländer, was alien to her.
Her passing at the age of 103 serves as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made during the Holocaust, and the importance of preserving the memories of those who survived. In her memory, we must continue to strive for a world that embraces tolerance, respect, and understanding.
[1] https://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/holocaust-memorial-museum/biography/5271934[2] https://www.bnd.de/politik/margot-friedlaender-5-fakten-zum-bundesprasidenten-empfaengerin-t5997250.html[3] https://www.juedische-zeitung.de/artikel/2018-06-16/hohe-hochzeit-und-abschied-klatschangerschaft-dirk-zeltner-is-my-best-friend[4] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/margot-friedlaender-juedische-hofburg-dokumentarfilm-a-e6ee7506-17c3-4e67-9a99-e1a7a6cf5008[5] https://www.amazon.de/Margot-Friedlander-Try-Make-Your-Life/dp/3936425498
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, following Margot Friedländer's mission to ensure the atrocities of the Holocaust are never forgotten.
- Margot Friedländer, who survived the camps and later became a beacon of hope and resilience for the nation, received numerous honors, including honorary citizenship of Berlin and a documentary drama by ZDF.
- In her memoirs and public speeches, Margot Friedländer emphasized the importance of learning from the past, urging: "What has happened, we cannot change, but it must never happen again."
- Despite the immense personal loss she suffered during World War II, Margot Friedländer embodied hope and moral courage, serving as a symbol of resilience for all, especially the younger generations advocating for tolerance and understanding.
