Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Berthold Beitz - A Leading German Post-World War Industrialist – RIP

Another Schindler

Until today (7/31/2013) when I read here (German language) the news about passing away of Berthold Beitz, I was not aware at all that this preeminent German manager and his equally courageous wife Elsa are Righteous Among The Nations celebrated by Israel at Yad Vaschem. As a German to be recognized by Israel as a Righteous Among The Nations is probably the highest honor that any German can receive by Israel.

At the young age of 27, he and his wife risked their lives to rescue as many Jews as possible from certain death. His post-war professional career is closely associated with the German steel giants Krupp & Thyssen.

One only wishes there had been more Germans as courageous as him and his wife.

Interview With A Survivor

As his death was announced today in my home town news paper, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, it also republished an interview (German language) with Mr. Jurek Rotenberg in Israel. He and his mother were saved by Mr. Beitz. It is a very touching story, but I will not go into details here.

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