28 Jul HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR DAVID EINHORN Z”L NIFTAR JUST DAYS AFTER CELEBRATING HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY
The Jewish community is mourning the passing of Holocaust survivor Mr. David Einhorn z”l, who was niftar just days after being surrounded by hundreds of family members, friends, community leaders, and admirers at a magnificent celebration marking his 100th birthday.
What became one of the most joyous tributes to a century of resilience, faith, and triumph has now taken on even greater significance, serving as a final opportunity for the community to honor one of the last living witnesses to the horrors of the Holocaust. Those who attended now look back on the celebration as a fitting farewell to a man whose life embodied courage, perseverance, and unwavering emunah.
The extraordinary evening, co-sponsored by Makor Care and Services Network, Nachas Health, The Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island, The Claims Conference, and HEI Holocaust Education Initiative, brought together elected officials,
Holocaust survivors, family members, volunteers, and community organizations to celebrate Mr. Einhorn’s remarkable milestone.
The celebration welcomed his daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and countless friends whose lives had been touched by his inspiring story. The evening was emceed by Mr. Chaim Deutsch, featured moving Divrei Chizuk from Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser, and included an uplifting performance by renowned singer Shulem Lemmer, whose heartfelt songs filled the room with emotion and gratitude.
One of the evening’s most powerful moments was the completion of a Sefer Torah, during which the final letters were written in Mr. Einhorn’s honor and in memory of his parents, siblings, and countless family members who were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. At the time, it symbolized a lifetime of victory over evil. In light of his passing just days later, the moment has become even more profound—a lasting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to ensuring that the memories of those lost would never be forgotten.
Mr. Einhorn’s life was one of extraordinary resilience. Born in Sighet, Romania, in 1926, he was deported to Auschwitz with his family during the Holocaust. He was the lone survivor among his parents, three sisters, and two brothers. As liberation neared, he displayed remarkable bravery by refusing to join a Nazi death march, instead remaining behind in Auschwitz where he risked his own life to obtain food and secretly distribute it to fellow prisoners.
Following the war, Mr. Einhorn rebuilt his life first in Eretz Yisrael before eventually settling in New York, where he became a successful businessman and a beloved member of the community. More importantly, he built a beautiful Torah family that stood as the greatest testimony to his victory over those who sought to destroy the Jewish people.
Perhaps nothing illustrated that victory more than seeing him seated at his centennial celebration surrounded by generations of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The smiles, laughter, and love filling the room represented the continuation of Jewish life that Hitler and the Nazis failed to extinguish.
Throughout the evening, elected officials presented Mr. Einhorn with proclamations recognizing his remarkable life. Among those honoring him were Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, New York City Council Members Simcha Felder and Mercedes Narcisse, Assembly Members Michael Novakhov, Simcha Eichenstein, and Kalman Yeger, as well as New York State Senator Bill Weber.
Many speakers reflected on Mr. Einhorn’s extraordinary legacy and the importance of preserving Holocaust testimony while survivors are still with us.
Tzally Seewald, CEO of Makor, spoke of the special relationships that had developed between Holocaust survivors and the individuals with special needs served by Makor, describing how Mr. Einhorn’s resilience inspired everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Rachelle Deutsch-Sauer, Director of Communications and Development at Makor and Founding Director of HEI Holocaust Education Initiative, emphasized that as the number of Holocaust survivors continues to decline, it is now the responsibility of future generations to preserve their stories and carry their lessons forward.
Rizy Horowitz, Director of Survivor Services at Nachas Health, recalled the privilege of accompanying Mr. Einhorn to the White House for a Chanukah celebration several years ago, where he met President Donald Trump. She noted that Nachas had the privilege of providing him with daily, Shabbos, and Yom Tov meals as part of its commitment to serving Holocaust survivors with dignity and compassion.
Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island, described Mr. Einhorn’s life as the ultimate answer to Nazi hatred—a life devoted to rebuilding, faith, family, and future generations. He reminded attendees that every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild gathered around Mr. Einhorn was a testament to the endurance of the Jewish people.
Zehava Birman Wallace and Yehudah Zellermaier, leaders of JCCGCI’s Holocaust Survivor Support Services, also reflected on the importance of ensuring Holocaust survivors live with dignity while preserving their invaluable stories for future generations.
No one could have imagined that the celebration would become Mr. Einhorn’s final public event.
What was intended as a joyous celebration of 100 remarkable years has now become an unforgettable farewell to a man whose life reflected extraordinary courage, selflessness, and unwavering faith. Those who filled the ballroom that evening witnessed not only a birthday celebration but the closing chapter of an incredible century-long journey.
Mr. David Einhorn z”l survived Auschwitz, rebuilt his life from unimaginable tragedy, and left behind a legacy that extends far beyond his own remarkable story. His greatest victory was the generations of Jewish life he created, ensuring that the light of Torah, family, and faith would continue long after the darkness of the Holocaust. His memory, and the lessons of resilience, hope, and perseverance that he embodied—will continue to inspire the Jewish community and future generations for years to come.
Yehi Zichro Baruch.