Remembering a heroic Holocaust rescue

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Woodmere resident and Holocaust survivor, Fred Lifschutz was the featured speaker at Chabad of Hewlett’s Holocaust commemoration event, on Aug. 10, which was done in coordination with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, a somber day when Jews fast and recall the tragic events in the religion’s history.

Lifschutz was one of the children saved by the Philadelphia couple, Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus. In 1939 the Krauses rescued 50 Jewish children trapped in Nazi-occupied Vienna saving them from imminent danger. 

The humanitarian effort was illustrated in the 2013 documentary, “50 Children: Mr. & Mrs. Kraus,” written, produced and directed by journalist Steven Pressman, which was shown the Hewlett Chabad. Lifschutz’s speech followed the showing of the film.

Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim, whose paternal grandmother, three aunts and other family members survived the Holocaust, spoke about the inspiration drawn from this couple and the unity in the Jewish world. “It was heart inspiring to see so many people come to the event, especially from the youth and teenage group,” Tenenboim said.