Holocaust Survivor Eva Schloss Passes Away at Age 96

Eva Schloss, a Holocaust survivor and honorary president of the Anne Frank Trust UK, has passed away at the age of 96, according to her foundation. The trust announced on Sunday that Schloss died in London, where she had lived. King Charles III expressed his condolences, stating that he was “privileged and proud” to have known Schloss.

Schloss co-founded the charitable trust with the goal of helping young people challenge prejudice. She dedicated her life to promoting kindness, courage, understanding, and resilience through her work for the trust and Holocaust education globally. The European Jewish Congress described Schloss as a “powerful voice” for Holocaust education.

Born Eva Geiringer in Vienna in 1929, Schloss fled Austria with her family after Nazi Germany annexed the country. She became friends with Anne Frank, whose diary is one of the most famous chronicles of the Holocaust. Schloss and her mother survived two years in hiding before being betrayed, arrested, and sent to Auschwitz. Her father and brother died in the camp.

After the war, Schloss moved to the UK, married Zvi Schloss, and settled in London. In 1953, her mother married Frank’s father, Otto. Schloss did not speak publicly about her experiences for decades, citing wartime trauma as a reason for her silence. However, she later made it her mission to educate younger generations about the Nazi genocide.

Schloss spoke at schools, prisons, and international conferences, sharing her story in books such as “Eva’s Story: A Survivor’s Tale.” She continued to campaign until her 90s, emphasizing the importance of remembering the consequences of treating people as “other.” Schloss is survived by three daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Source: Al Jazeera