1. “Surviving the Holocaust and fighting against antisemitism”
2. “Challenging the persistence of antisemitism in our society”.
My Dad: A Hero and Holocaust Survivor
My dad is a hero. This term is often thrown around loosely, but what sets my dad, Harry Spiro, apart is that tens of thousands of people share this sentiment. Born in 1929 in Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland, Harry’s life took a dramatic turn when the Nazis invaded his hometown when he was just 10 years old. Forced out of their homes, Harry and his family were relocated to the first ghetto established by the Nazis in Poland. Today, at 94 years old, Harry is not only a hero but also a Holocaust survivor.
During his time in the ghetto, young Harry worked as a slave laborer in a glass factory. Tragically, while he was at work one day, his mother and family, along with 22,000 other Jews, were taken from the ghetto and sent to their death at the Treblinka death camp. Harry never saw them again.
Harry’s journey continued as he managed to survive Buchenwald and Rehmsdorf concentration camps. However, his struggles were far from over as he endured a death march to Terezín in Czechoslovakia in May 1945. Only 270 people survived that ordeal, and Harry found himself alone in the world.
Later that year, Harry arrived in the UK as one of “the boys” – a group of 732 boys and girls who settled in Windermere after the Holocaust. Within this small group of survivors, Harry formed lifelong friendships that shaped his life and continue to endure. Many of these survivors, including Harry, dedicated their lives to Holocaust education and remembrance. They traveled across the UK, sharing their experiences and honoring the memory of those who did not survive. It is through these efforts that Harry has become a hero in the eyes of tens of thousands of people throughout the country who have heard him speak.
While I am fortunate to have Harry and my mother, Pauline, with me every day, he is no longer able to address schools as he once did. His frailty prevents him from doing so, but his determination for the world to learn from the past remains as strong as ever. Harry has two simple yet powerful messages – Hitler did not win, and we must not harbor hate. Despite losing his entire family in the Holocaust, Harry firmly believes that hatred leads to nothing good. This resilience and wisdom astound me.
Continuing the Legacy
Unfortunately, the number of Holocaust survivors is dwindling, and the void they leave behind is immeasurable. In 2023, we bid farewell to Zigi Shipper BEM, an Auschwitz survivor and one of my dad’s closest friends. We also mourned the loss of Sir Ben Helfgott MBE, a Holocaust survivor, advocate for Holocaust remembrance, and Olympic champion. These remarkable individuals, who shaped our history, won’t be with us forever.
However, I am driven by my dad’s determination to share the truth with the world. It is my responsibility, as a member of the second generation, to speak to schools regularly and educate the next generation about my family’s experiences, Harry’s journey, and the ongoing presence of antisemitism. We cannot forget that antisemitism did not end in 1945; it still persists in our schools, universities, workplaces, and public spaces.
On this Holocaust Memorial Day, I will once again address different communities, urging them to remember the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust. Furthermore, I will implore them to acknowledge the antisemitism that continues to plague not only the United Kingdom but the entire world. I ask this for the sake of my family, for Harry, for Zigi, for Sir Ben, and for the future generations.
Finally, I invite you, the reader, to share your thoughts on the issues raised in this article. If you would like to submit a letter of up to 250 words for consideration, please email us at observer.letters@observer.co.uk.
.
1. “Surviving the Holocaust: A Powerful Call to Resist Antisemitism”
2. “Combatting Antisemitism: Lessons from My Father’s Holocaust Survival”.
