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Glasgow Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Holocaust survivor thanks those who took ‘high risks' to help Jews during war
Jacques Weisser, 83, was born in Antwerp during the war and subsequently hidden when his parents were taken to Auschwitz concentration camp. He was one of 22 Holocaust survivors and Second World War refugees who attended a VE Day tea party organised by the Association of Jewish Refugees at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum in north London on Tuesday. Survivors and their descendants were given a tour of wartime RAF fighter planes and listened to a swing band perform. Mr Weisser said: 'My father survived Auschwitz. My mother did not. 'It's all luck. We are the lucky ones. We have a lot to be thankful for. 'People took such high risks with their own lives and their families. We owe them so much. Sadly, there weren't enough of them.' Henny Franks, aged 101, escaped to the UK in February 1939 (Yui Mok/PA) Mr Weisser's father Jacob was initially sent as a slave labourer to build the Atlantic Wall during the war before being sent to several camps. His mother Martha was sent to Mechelen, Antwerp and from there to Auschwitz. Before he was even a year old, Mr Weisser was brought to a children's home in 1942 after his mother's deportation and was later hidden in Sint Erasmus hospital. The RAF hosted the special event ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Yui Mok/PA) His father was eventually reunited with Jacques in the Ardennes forest, his latest hiding place, at the end of the war. Henny Franks, 101, escaped to the UK in 1939 via a Kindertransport with her younger sister. She said: 'I've lived a happy life. I was lucky enough that when I came to England, my father's first cousin from Poland took me in. 'I've been brought up to be happy. I am in contact with some others (refugees) but I'm about one of the oldest.' Holocaust survivors, refugees and descendants took part in the special event (Yui Mok/PA) Mrs Franks, who trained in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in the British Army when she was 19, added: 'I love England very much. I felt so proud to be in the army. I did my bit. 'I met all these lovely, lovely people. And in the army I met all my Jewish friends.' Mrs Franks was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-45 and the HM Armed Forces Veteran Badge in 2023 when she turned 100, and said she was surprised because 'I didn't know I was eligible'. Maurice Peltz was four years old when his family escaped Poland. He said he was a keen dancer growing up and danced with the Princess of Wales at a survivors' ceremony at the Guildhall in January. The 98-year-old said: 'She's a charming person. I said: 'I shall dance with you,' and she said: 'That would be nice.''
Belfast Telegraph
06-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Holocaust survivor thanks those who took ‘high risks' to help Jews during war
Jacques Weisser, 83, was born in Antwerp during the war and subsequently hidden when his parents were taken to Auschwitz concentration camp. He was one of 22 Holocaust survivors and Second World War refugees who attended a VE Day tea party organised by the Association of Jewish Refugees at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum in north London on Tuesday. Survivors and their descendants were given a tour of wartime RAF fighter planes and listened to a swing band perform. Mr Weisser said: 'My father survived Auschwitz. My mother did not. 'It's all luck. We are the lucky ones. We have a lot to be thankful for. 'People took such high risks with their own lives and their families. We owe them so much. Sadly, there weren't enough of them.' Mr Weisser's father Jacob was initially sent as a slave labourer to build the Atlantic Wall during the war before being sent to several camps. His mother Martha was sent to Mechelen, Antwerp and from there to Auschwitz. Before he was even a year old, Mr Weisser was brought to a children's home in 1942 after his mother's deportation and was later hidden in Sint Erasmus hospital. His father was eventually reunited with Jacques in the Ardennes forest, his latest hiding place, at the end of the war. Henny Franks, 101, escaped to the UK in 1939 via a Kindertransport with her younger sister. She said: 'I've lived a happy life. I was lucky enough that when I came to England, my father's first cousin from Poland took me in. 'I've been brought up to be happy. I am in contact with some others (refugees) but I'm about one of the oldest.' Mrs Franks, who trained in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in the British Army when she was 19, added: 'I love England very much. I felt so proud to be in the army. I did my bit. 'I met all these lovely, lovely people. And in the army I met all my Jewish friends.' Mrs Franks was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-45 and the HM Armed Forces Veteran Badge in 2023 when she turned 100, and said she was surprised because 'I didn't know I was eligible'. Maurice Peltz was four years old when his family escaped Poland. He said he was a keen dancer growing up and danced with the Princess of Wales at a survivors' ceremony at the Guildhall in January. The 98-year-old said: 'She's a charming person. I said: 'I shall dance with you,' and she said: 'That would be nice.''
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Holocaust survivor thanks those who took ‘high risks' to help Jews during war
Holocaust survivor thanks those who took 'high risks' to help Jews during war A Holocaust survivor has paid tribute to the 'high risks' people took to help Jews during the Second World War. Jacques Weisser, 83, was born in Antwerp during the war and subsequently hidden when his parents were taken to Auschwitz concentration camp. He was one of 22 Holocaust survivors and Second World War refugees who attended a VE Day tea party organised by the Association of Jewish Refugees at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum in north London on Tuesday. Henny Franks, aged 101, escaped to the UK in February 1939 (Yui Mok/PA) Survivors and their descendants were given a tour of wartime RAF fighter planes and listened to a swing band perform. Mr Weisser said: 'My father survived Auschwitz. My mother did not. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's all luck. We are the lucky ones. We have a lot to be thankful for. The RAF hosted the special event ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Yui Mok/PA) 'People took such high risks with their own lives and their families. We owe them so much. Sadly, there weren't enough of them.' Henny Franks, 101, escaped to the UK in 1939 via a Kindertransport with her younger sister. She said: 'I've lived a happy life. I was lucky enough that when I came to England, my father's first cousin from Poland took me in. 'I've been brought up to be happy. I am in contact with some others (refugees) but I'm about one of the oldest.' Holocaust survivors, refugees and descendants took part in the special event (Yui Mok/PA) Mrs Franks, who trained in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in the British Army when she was 19, added: 'I love England very much. I felt so proud to be in the army. I did my bit. 'I met all these lovely, lovely people. And in the army I met all my Jewish friends.' Mrs Franks was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-45 and the HM Armed Forces Veteran Badge in 2023 when she turned 100, and said she was surprised because 'I didn't know I was eligible'. ADVERTISEMENT Maurice Peltz was four years old when his family escaped Poland. He said he was a keen dancer growing up and danced with the Princess of Wales at a survivors' ceremony at the Guildhall in January. The 98-year-old said: 'She's a charming person. I said: 'I shall dance with you,' and she said: 'That would be nice.''
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tributes to Gordonstoun founder who fled Nazis
Tributes have been paid to the founder of an independent boarding school who fled his home country of Germany to escape the Holocaust. The Princess Royal and first minister sent their best wishes as a plaque was unveiled during a special service at Gordonstoun School to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Kurt Hahn, a German Jew, fled his homeland to Moray in 1933 after speaking out about the Nazis' rise to power. After he settled in the area he founded the school in 1934. The late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was one of the first students. Three of his children later the school, including the King. On Sunday, the plaque by the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) was unveiled by Michael Flesch, who was a student at Gordonstoun. His father was a pupil at Salem School in Southern Germany, where Mr Hahn was headmaster before fleeing to Scotland. In a letter, the Princess Royal said: "This plaque will be a permanent monument, informing students, teachers and visitors of Kurt Hahn's bravery and accomplishments. "It will serve as a reminder of how it came to be that Hahn came here to Gordonstoun, and also serves as a warning of what happens when a society succumbs to the dangers of indifference in the face of extremism and racial hatred. "My late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, thrived during his time here and counted Kurt Hahn as a personal friend, having already benefited from his wisdom in the formative years in Germany. "I am sure that he would have deeply approved of this unveiling." This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex. Gordonstoun principal Peter Green said: "Our founder Kurt Hahn showed immense courage in publicly standing up to the Nazi party in the face of extreme adversity. "Without his selfless determination, Gordonstoun would not exist today. We owe Hahn an eternal debt of gratitude for his vision in setting up a school with an educational philosophy focused on service and compassion. "Hahn was ahead of his time in his thinking and today his memory lives on through the achievements of our wonderful students with their passion and instinct to help others, whether it's in the local community or further afield. "Today's plaque unveiling will serve as an everlasting tribute to Hahn and his impact on education around the globe. This was a fitting initiative by the AJR which Gordonstoun is proud to support." First Minister John Swinney said in a letter to the AJR: "The atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish people during the Holocaust remain one of darkest periods of human history, but it is the bravery of individuals such as Mr Hahn that can inspire the rest of us to stand in solidarity against forces which seek to target the most vulnerable members of our society." AJR trustee Frank Harding MBE came up with the idea for the plaque. He said when Mr Hahn fled to the UK, having been briefly imprisoned as both a Jew and a notable and prominent outspoken critic of the Nazi regime, he brought with him the "ethos and values" which made the school "a leading and inspiring institution of learning". The Scottish school that educated a king King's school: Gordonstoun abuse flourished for decades King's former school ends deal with spy row firm King Charles becomes patron of Gordonstoun School
The Independent
26-01-2025
- General
- The Independent
Anne pays tribute to man who fled Nazi regime and founded Scottish school
The Princess Royal has paid tribute to the founder of an independent boarding school who fled his home country of Germany to escape the Holocaust. Gordonstoun founder Kurt Hahn, a German Jew, fled his homeland to Moray in 1933 after speaking out about the Nazi s' rise to power. He would soon settle in Moray and founded the school in 1934 – where the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was one of the first students. On Sunday, a plaque by the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) was unveiled at a special service at the school, also marking Holocaust Memorial Day. Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) second generation member Michael Flesch unveiled the plaque. He was a student at Gordonstoun, and his father was at Salem School in Southern Germany, where Mr Hahn was headmaster before fleeing to Scotland. In a letter, the Princess Royal said: 'This plaque will be a permanent monument, informing students, teachers and visitors of Kurt Hahn's bravery and accomplishments. 'It will serve as a reminder of how it came to be that Hahn came here to Gordonstoun, and also serves as a warning of what happens when a society succumbs to the dangers of indifference in the face of extremism and racial hatred. 'My late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, thrived during his time here and counted Kurt Hahn as a personal friend, having already benefited from his wisdom in the formative years in Germany. 'I am sure that he would have deeply approved of this unveiling.' This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex. It also marks the 30th anniversary of the Bosnian genocide. Gordonstoun Principal Peter Green said: 'Our founder Kurt Hahn showed immense courage in publicly standing up to the Nazi party in the face of extreme adversity. 'Without his selfless determination, Gordonstoun would not exist today. We owe Hahn an eternal debt of gratitude for his vision in setting up a school with an educational philosophy focused on service and compassion. 'Hahn was ahead of his time in his thinking and today his memory lives on through the achievements of our wonderful students with their passion and instinct to help others, whether it's in the local community or further afield. 'Today's plaque unveiling will serve as an everlasting tribute to Hahn and his impact on education around the globe. This was a fitting initiative by the AJR which Gordonstoun is proud to support.' First Minister John Swinney said in a letter to the AJR: 'The atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish people during the Holocaust remain one of darkest periods of human history, but it is the bravery of individuals such as Mr Hahn that can inspire the rest of us to stand in solidarity against forces which seek to target the most vulnerable members of our society.' AJR Trustee, Frank Harding MBE, who devised the AJR plaque scheme, added: 'It is our great pleasure to unveil our latest commemorative plaque, this time to honour the pioneering and visionary educationalist Kurt Hahn. 'The AJR is deeply honoured that this initiative has attracted the support of Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and the First Minister of Scotland. 'Having been briefly imprisoned as both a Jew and a notable and prominent outspoken critic of the Nazi regime, Kurt Hahn fled to Britain in 1933. 'He brought with him the ethos and values he inculcated at Salem in Germany and which have enabled Gordonstoun to burnish its international reputation as a leading and inspiring institution of learning.' The special service recognising the achievements of Mr Hahn was supported by Interfaith Scotland. Maureen Sier, director of Interfaith Scotland, said: 'It is always a great honour for Interfaith Scotland to support Holocaust Memorial Day and to remember the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. 'The theme this year for Holocaust Memorial Day is 'for a better future' and so it is significant to be attending a commemoration at Gordonstoun School, a school founded by Kurt Hahn, a survivor of the Nazi regime who dedicated his life to supporting young people to build a better future for everyone. 'The plaque for Kurt was to be unveiled by Holocaust survivor, Kathy Hagler, who sadly passed away last year, and so as we remember Kathy we also remember all those who suffered in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.'
