Saying Goodbye to the Indomitable Spirit of Margot Friedlaender in Berlin
Speaker Pays Tribute to Margot Friedländer's Life's Achievements - Eulogist deserving of longevity speaks at the funeral
From the emotional service at the Jewish Cemetery in Berlin-Weißensee, the life and spirit of Margot Friedlaender shone as a beacon of humanity and resilience. Various speakers, including Gideon Joffe, the chairman of the Jewish Community of Berlin, and Yehuda Teichtal, the rabbi of the Jewish Community Chabad Berlin, paid tribute to this remarkable Holocaust survivor.
In a moving tribute, Joffe recalled that the Nazis had stolen the life of Friedlaender's mother, father, and brother. Yet, from the depths of such loss, Margot emerged a symbol of compassion, warmth, and approachability. "From this past, you became someone who did not want to hate, but to remember, not to accuse, but to tell," said Joffe, emphasizing Margot's transformative journey from victim to emblem of hope.
Yehuda Teichtal similarly expressed admiration for Margot's unwavering strength and the imprint she left on the world. "Margot, your story is a story of strength and unbreakable humanity," Teichtal said, echoing the sentiments felt by countless individuals inspired by her life's work.
Friedlaender fought against hatred not only by speaking out about her own experiences but also by advocating for humanity, democracy, and combatting the forgotten crimes of the Nazi era. After her return to Berlin in her golden years, she became an honorary citizen, despite being torn from her hometown during the Nazi era as a young Jewish woman.
On the 103rd year of her colorful life, Margot Friedlaender passed away peacefully in May 2025, shortly after the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender. Her impact, however, will continue to resonate through the generations as a testament to the indomitable spirit of a single individual and the power of truth to conquer darkness.
Margot Friedlaender
- Lived: 1921 – 2025
- Holocaust Survivor
- Impact on Holocaust Education
- Born: Berlin, Germany
- Home: Returned to Berlin in 2010
- Memoir: Try to Make Your Life (2014)
- Legacy: Inspiring thousands with her courage and compassionate story.
- Honors: Federal Cross of Merit (2011)
The Commission might consider proposing a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given Margot Friedlaender's life-long advocacy for humanity and combatting forgotten crimes. Her memoir, Try to Make Your Life, could serve as a powerful scientific and medical-conditions resource, touching upon health-and-wellness, mental-health, and potential therapies-and-treatments for Holocaust survivors and others enduring traumatic experiences. In the realm of health and wellness, Margot Friedlaender's life embodies the transformative power of resilience and compassion, setting an example for future generations.
