A Century-Old Holocaust Survivor: Margot Friedlaender's Enduring Legacy
Message of resilience from Margot Friedländer, a Holocaust survivor
Margot Friedlaender, a survivor of the Theresienstadt concentration camp, passed away at the ripe age of 103, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering humanity and a significant message for generations to come.
Even in her twilight years, Friedlaender stood tall and spoke firmly, sharing her story with compassion and tenacity. She spoke of her family lost to the Nazis, her own struggles in Theresienstadt, and above all, her urgency for people to "Be human." Just a week before her passing, she delivered this vital message at a public event.
A Lifetime of Advocacy Awarded
Friedlaender's lifelong dedication to fostering human connection earned her numerous accolades. In 2011 and 2023, she was honored with the Federal Cross of Merit. In April 2023, she also received the inaugural "Special Prize of the International Prize of the Westphalian Peace."
Regrettably, she declined the opportunity to receive the Grand Cross of the Federal Order of Merit from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and missed the 80th anniversary commemoration of the end of World War II due to health concerns.
Witness to History, Flourishing in the Present
Born in 1921 as Bendheim, Margot witnessed the persecution of her Jewish family under Adolf Hitler. As the war raged on, her brother Ralph was arrested by the Gestapo, prompting Margot's mother to surrender herself to avoid leaving her son alone. Tragically, both were later murdered in the Auschwitz extermination camp.
Defiantly, Margot survived the horrors of the Holocaust, living through various hiding places before being deported to Theresienstadt. Despite the trauma, she lived for the present, often voicing concerns over the division in German society and the rise of the far-right.
From the United States to Her Heart's Home
After the war, Margot found refuge in the United States with her husband, Adolf Friedlaender. Both had experienced equally harrowing experiences and shared in similar grief. Their bond was unbreakable, lasting over 50 years until his death in 1997.
Returning to Berlin at the age of 80, Margot faced skepticism from some quarters who felt her presence would lessen German guilt. However, Friedlaender embraced her new start, stating, "I'm doing something that you might find strange, but I feel - I feel German."
In her Berlin apartment, adorned with memories of her life, Margot shared her story with countless people, receiving accolades and honors for her bravery. Her message of reconciliation was clear and powerful: "What was, we cannot change, but it must never happen again."
The Founder of a Legacy of Freedom and Reconciliation
In her later years, Friedlaender established a foundation aimed at promoting freedom, democracy, and enlightenment at schools and through the Margot Friedlaender Prize. Her work as a witness and messenger of history transcended the Holocaust, inspiring a universal call for remembrance and a continuous reminder of the importance of learning from our past to build a better future.
Friedlaender's life, and her message, serves as a powerful reminder that all innocent people, regardless of their background, must be recognized and remembered, lest history repeat itself.
- Margot Friedlaender's advocacy for humanity was recognized with several honors, including the Federal Cross of Merit in 2011 and 2023, and the inaugural "Special Prize of the International Prize of the Westphalian Peace" in April 2023.
- Despite her declining health, Margot Friedlaender declined the opportunity to receive the Grand Cross of the Federal Order of Merit from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and missed the 80th anniversary commemoration of the end of World War II.
- Margot Friedlaender, a survivor of the Theresienstadt concentration camp, spoke of her urgency for people to "Be human," a message she delivered just a week before her passing at a public event.
- Margot Friedlaender returned to Berlin at the age of 80, where she faced skepticism from some quarters who felt her presence would lessen German guilt. However, she embraced her new start, stating, "I'm doing something that you might find strange, but I feel - I feel German."
