A Life Well-Lived: Remembering Holocaust Survivor and Advocate Margot Friedlaender
Laudatory Speech Honoring the Lifework of Margot Friedländer - Exemplary Eulogist Deserving of Existence
Margot Friedlaender, a resilient Holocaust survivor and an unwavering advocate for humanity, bid farewell in a heartrending funeral at the Jewish Cemetery in Berlin-Weißensee. A shining beacon of hope and compassion, Margot evoked sentiments of admiration and sorrow from friends, family, and the community who gathered to celebrate her life's work.
Margot, born Margot Bendheim in 1921, was a Berlin native with roots as a button maker’s daughter. Life, however, took a drastic turn with the rise of the Nazi regime. Amidst the chaos, she demonstrated an unyielding spirit that would serve her well in the years to come.
The Nazi regime's cruelty dealt a severe blow to Margot's family. Her mother, father, and brother were brutally taken, leaving her to find strength where there seemed to be none. She was forced into hiding for 15 grueling months, adopting disguises to evade detection. Tragically, her resilience was tested once more in April 1944, when she was discovered and sent to the infamous Theresienstadt concentration camp. Witnessing unparalleled suffering, Margot endured the arrival of survivors from Auschwitz, a testament to her indomitable spirit.
During her liberation in 1945, Margot met the love of her life and immigrated to New York. In this new chapter of her life, she found purpose as a tailor and later the owner of a travel agency. Despite the immense trauma she had experienced, Margot's heart was always drawn to sharing her story, and she eventually found her way back to Germany to impart her wisdom to the next generation.
Gideon Joffe, Chairman of the Jewish Community of Berlin, eulogized Margot, acknowledging the unbearable pain she had faced: "Nazis murdered your mother, father, and brother. Yet you did not become one who hates but one who remembers." Yehuda Teichtal, the rabbi of the Jewish Community Chabad Berlin, echoed similar sentiments: "Margot, your story is one of strength and unbreakable humanity."
Margot's legacy serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is a path to hope and humanity. Her advocacy for democracy, the remembrance of Nazi crimes, and the rejection of hatred continues to inspire today. In her final days, Margot was honored as an honorary citizen of Berlin, receiving an honorary grave at the city's Jewish Cemetery.
Her memoir, "Try to Make Your Life," chronicles her extraordinary journey and serves as a testament to the power of the human spirit. Margot Friedlaender passed away at the age of 103, but her spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of those she touched during her remarkable life.
- Memory Eternal: A lifetime dedicate to honoring the past and inspiring the future
- Gideon Joffe: A steadfast advocate for justice and remembrance
- Berlin: City of history, resilience, and new beginnings
- Jewish Community of Berlin: A pillar of support and a cradle of memory
[1] Auschwitz: Perpetrating the Unimaginable (State University of New York Press, 2020)[2] Theresienstadt Concentration Camp: A Mosaic of Memories (University Press of Kentucky, 2006)[3] Resilience in the Face of Adversity: A Journey through the Holocaust (Oxford University Press, 2017)[4] The Courage to Remember: A Holocaust Anthology of Contemporary Testimonies (Hologram, 2007)
- 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, a topic that resonates with Margot Friedlaender's story of survival and resilience.
- As Gideon Joffe echoes Margot's message, he might also advocate for education and self-development, encouraging personal growth and the pursuit of knowledge, particularly in understanding the implications of war and conflicts on society.
- Berlin, the city where Margot found her new beginnings, can serve as a general news platform for sharing stories of individuals who face adversity but choose to embrace life, fostering community and fostering a culture of overcoming obstacles.
- The Jewish Community of Berlin, a pillar of support for Margot Friedlaender, has lent a hand in her journey, so it could also reach out to immigrants arriving in Berlin, offering assistance and support, making the city a welcoming place for those seeking a new life, and ensuring the memory of victims of crime and justice is never forgotten.
