What becomes of the warnings from Holocaust survivors?

What becomes of the warnings from Holocaust survivors? - What becomes of the warnings from Holocaust survivors?

Leon Weintraub, an Auschwitz survivor, will turn 100 on January 1, 2026. His life story spans the horrors of Nazi occupation, ghettoisation, and deportation at just 18. Now, as far-right movements gain ground in Germany, he warns of the dangers of hatred and fanaticism repeating history.

Born in Łódź, Poland, in 1926, Weintraub endured the Nazi invasion, the Łódź ghetto, and later Auschwitz. There, he witnessed the murder of his mother and relatives. Liberated in 1945 at 19, he weighed just 35 kg. His survival came with a lifelong mission: to ensure such atrocities never happen again.

Weintraub now speaks openly about the risks of contempt for others, stressing that dehumanisation leads to violence and, ultimately, to gas chambers. His warnings extend to modern threats, including the far-right AfD party in Germany and rising global extremism. Yet, he remains hopeful, believing young people hold the key to peaceful coexistence. His story is shared by the *Zweitzeugen* association in workshops, easing the burden on survivors and their families to keep history alive. Journalist Susanne Siegert also engages younger audiences through social media, using historical sources and personal narratives to connect with them. Yael Richler-Friedman of Yad Vashem argues that German remembrance culture must deepen its focus on victims’ individual suffering. By 2026, Germany plans to update educational guidelines like *Erinnern für die Zukunft* and roll out a new federal memorial sites concept. Approved in November 2025, this strategy prioritises victim remembrance, digital engagement, and tackling antisemitism in diverse societies. Events like Wolfgang Benz’s 2025 lecture on *The Future of Remembrance* highlight the urgency as survivor testimonies fade.

Weintraub’s century of life stands as both a warning and a call to action. Educational reforms and digital outreach aim to preserve Holocaust memory as survivors’ voices grow fewer. The focus now shifts to empowering younger generations to carry forward the lessons of history.