Sam Offen

"To the future generations who will be our new leaders, I would like to convey this message: It is imperative that you listen to survivors’ inhuman experiences and you will learn that in addition to 6 million Jews, the German Nazis also murdered 5 million Christians!  For your own sake and for the sake of all humanity, you must always be vigilant of a future Hitler, thus preventing another Holocaust.   "

Name at birth
Shloime Zalman Offen
Date of birth
08/07/1921
Where were you born?
Where did you grow up?
Cracow, Poland
Name of father, occupation
Jakob, Shoemaker and salesman
Maiden name of mother, occupation
Ruchme Gitel Schiffer, Homemaker
How many in entire extended family?
20
Who survived the Holocaust?
Myself and two brothers
Name of Ghetto(s)
Name of Concentration / Labor Camp(s)
Occupation after the war
Furrier
Spouse
Hyla Lesser, Social Worker
Children
Jerry, engineer Gail, advertising executive
What do you think helped you to survive?
I always was and still am a perpetual optimist. I yearned to outlive my cruel Nazi oppressors. I am well aware that there were millions of other victims with similar aspirations who unfortunately, perished at their hands. I also believe that I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, and surely G-d helped me to survive.
What message would you like to leave for future generations?
To the future generations who will be our new leaders, I would like to convey this message: It is imperative that you listen to survivors’ inhuman experiences and you will learn that in addition to 6 million Jews, the German Nazis also murdered 5 million Christians!  For your own sake and for the sake of all humanity, you must always be vigilant of a future Hitler, thus preventing another Holocaust. 
 
Interviewer:
Charles Silow
Interview date:
04/04/2011
To learn more about this survivor, please visit:
The Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive, University of Michigan
http://holocaust.umd.umich.edu/offens/

Contact us

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to our email newsletter to receive updates on the latest news

thank you!

Your application is successfuly submited. We will contact you as soon as possible

thank you!

Your application is successfuly submited. Check your inbox for future updates.