Ben Lesser born in Krakow, Poland,—1928. Just a boy when the Nazis sent him to various concentration camps between 1940—45. Ben and his sister Lola were the only survivors of his immediate family of seven. The rest of his family were murdered by Hitler and the Nazis.
Five years of Hell—a living Hell. During WWII this ten-year-old-boy experienced several ghettos, starvation, torture, Nazi camps, including the infamous Auschwitz and Buchenwald. Ben even encountered the notorious angel-of-death: Dr. Josef Mengele (SS Physician).
WWII ended on September 2, 1945. Mr. Lesser was liberated from Dachau (first camp built by Nazis in 1933). Today, he is ninety-six years old. Ben’s story needs to be told—retold—for minds suffer amnesia. “Zachor” means—remember.
What happened to you in 1939?
War broke out. Our building began to shake and rattle. I ran to the window and witnessed tanks coming down the road. Nazis were goosestepping down the street and entering buildings—it was quite impressionable for a kid. My siblings and I grew up overnight; we had to. We were thrown into Hitler’s terror. Jews had to wear the star of David. There was a curfew from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If these new ordinances were protested, the Nazis simply shot you—neither age, nor gender mattered.
How did you survive four concentration camps?
I made up my mind that I will survive. Whatever the Nazis told me to do, I did well; I never gave them an excuse to kill me. I survived beatings and various torture games. After the war, I felt God was watching over me to keep a witness to tell this story. My experience of the concentration camps, at that time, caused me to lose faith. Some things I saw I can never tell. But after the war, I regained a belief in God.
Is the Holocaust in danger of being forgotten?
Yes. The world would like to forget it. Many people in our modern times still attempt to persuade multitudes that the Holocaust never happened. Some claim that it happened; however, it was not that horrific. Holocaust deniers exist and some of them are in powerful and persuading positions of authority. Young people must know the truth. Antisemitism has always been strong; however, I received the highest honor from Germany a civilian can get. I have made it my life’s endeavor to educate the public that the Holocaust happened. Hate created the Holocaust; education may prevent another one. Zachor.
What is the message of Zachor?
Zachor means “remember.” The message is simple: Do not forget the Holocaust. There was a Holocaust where six million Jews were murdered, and other races were killed, too. While I am alive, I will keep this world from acquiring amnesia. I speak all over the world. I have written a book about my holocaust experiences: Living a Life that Matters. World War II was not long ago as some favorably think. It happened in my lifetime. The Holocaust was not too distant in the periphery of our human history. It happened and something like it “could” happen again. Believe it.
How can younger people make better decisions?
You must be willing to make better decisions in life. Que Sera Sera—no. One must try to be a better person. It will not happen by itself; you must “will” it. Remember, life is always worth living. Yes, it was easier to just die during the Holocaust. Those of us that survived had to work hard to stay alive. Life is dear to me because of what I survived—absolutely. I had a good life. Seventy-two years of loving marriage. Work hard in all areas of life to have success. It is not easy, but believe me, it is worth it. Young people—do not be a clock watcher. When it is time to leave, ask your boss if there is anything else that needs to be done.
Does evil ever win?
Yes, if you let it. Stop hatred. Do not allow evil to win. The good that is in you is always stronger than evil. You must will it, and you cannot permit what is evil to win over you. I am haunted. Every day, I hear the cries and memories of my past, but I fight it. I will not allow the Nazis to succeed. Many survivors, sadly, never survived, even though they were liberated. The worst thing a person can do is live in the past—push yourself to move forward.
Jason Waddle | Contributing Writer
