Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation

From privilege to persecution. A life changed forever. Eva Kerenyi was born into a well-to-do Hungarian family—her father a lawyer, her mother a doctor. At just 12 years old, that life was taken from her when she was deported with her family to German-Nazi concentration and extermination camp #Auschwitz-Birkenau. She endured weeks of brutality there, followed by imprisonment in Ravensbrück concentration camp and other labor camps—before being liberated during a death march. After the war, Eva returned to Hungary and began the difficult work of rebuilding her life after losing her father and many relatives. She became a nurse, married her husband Norbert, and built a family of her own. Following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Eva resettled in Toronto, where she still lives today. We are deeply honored that she joined our delegations to the @AuschwitzMuseum for the 75th anniversary of liberation. Her story is one of survival—but also of resilience, love, and the strength to begin again. 🤍 #NeverForget #HolocaustEducation #SurvivorStories #HolocaustRemembrance

Meet Tony Hernandez, our 2026 Auschwitz Legacy Fellow of the Week. When asked why he applied for the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship, Tony said, “I decided to apply for this fellowship primarily because I have become alarmed at the apparent growth in our society of Holocaust questioning, denial, and blatant anti-Semitism. I am hopeful that through my participation in the program I can learn more knowledge and teaching strategies that I can use in my classroom to challenge these trends I have observed. My goal is that through my improved teaching ability, more of my students will be better equipped to challenge these trends in their personal lives and other social circles outside of school as well.” Tony learned of the #Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship through ABMF’s partnership with the @hmla1961. #holocausteducation #teachinghistory #educators

From the smallest objects can come the most powerful stories of survival. Anneliese Nossbaum held onto just two things during the #Holocaust—a comb and a soap dish, bartered for pieces of bread. They were all she had left, and she carried them with her until liberation. Born in Guben, Germany, Anneliese was just a child when Nazi persecution stripped her of her rights, her education, and her sense of belonging. During Kristallnacht, the synagogue, which she called her second home, was destroyed. Deported first to the Theresienstadt Ghetto, and later to the German-Nazi concentration and extermination camp #Auschwitz-Birkenau, Anneliese endured forced labor, hunger, and constant uncertainty. She was later sent to a labor camp in Freiberg, where she was forced to manufacture airplane parts, and eventually to the Mauthausen concentration camp. Liberated in May 1945, Anneliese soon faced another devastating loss—her mother died later that year, leaving her orphaned. In 1946, she came to New York to begin again. But survival was only part of her story. Anneliese devoted her life to remembrance, sharing her testimony with thousands of students, educators, and institutions. Through her voice—and even through the objects she carried—she ensured that history would not be forgotten. Anneliese Nossbaum passed away in March 2020. Today, around the time of her passing, we honor her strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to memory. 🕯️ #HolocaustRemembrance #NeverForget #JewishHistory

For #Holocaust survivor Eva Szepesi, matzo ball soup carries memory across generations. After the Shoah, she had no mother to teach her to cook, so she learned this recipe at 17 from her mother-in-law, Ilonka Schwarcz. Today, her daughters still make it for their families. During #Passover, dishes like this become living history. Eva shared her recipe in “Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors” (link in bio). #NeverForget #Auschwitz #FoodAndMemory

Even in the face of unimaginable loss, Rachmil “Ralph” Hakman chose courage. Born in Radom, Poland, Ralph was one of ten children. Only two survived. At just 17 years old, he was deported to the German-Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, where he was forced into brutal labor as the camp was being built. There, he witnessed the machinery of mass murder up close—later recalling that he must have seen 300,000 Jews perish before his eyes. After surviving a death march in 1945, Ralph eventually found freedom. But survival was only part of his story. For decades, he returned to #Auschwitz, determined to bear witness—to ensure that what he saw, what he endured, would never be forgotten. “I would be guilty not to go… What if these are my last chances?” he once said. Ralph Hakman passed away in March 2020, shortly after his 95th birthday and three months after he traveled with our Foundation to Poland to attend the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Today, we honor not only the life he rebuilt but the truth he carried. His testimony reminds us of the scale of loss, the weight of memory, and the responsibility we all share to remember. 🕯️ #HolocaustRemembrance #NeverForget #HolocaustEducation #JewishHistory #SurvivorStories

For #Holocaust survivor Eva Szepesi, baking challah brings meaning to every #Shabbat. Three generations—Eva, her daughter, and granddaughter—bake together, filling the home with warmth and tradition. Every week, they share photos of their homemade challah, a simple ritual that keeps them connected. After everything Eva endured during the war, moments like these are a reminder that gathering, creating, and celebrating life are miracles. Today, recipes like this help preserve the memories and traditions passed down through generations. Eva shared her recipe in “Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors” (link in bio). #NeverForget #Auschwitz #FoodAndMemory

What is Jewish food? Not one cuisine—but many. A story of migration, memory, and tradition. A reflection of a people who lived across continents, carrying traditions, adapting to place, and preserving memory through recipes. On April 16, Liz Rueven (@kosherlikeme) will explore how food can help us understand Jewish life. #Holocaust #Education #JewishHistory #FoodAndMemory #Auschwitz

Child. Survivor. Witness. Eva Szepesi was just 11 when she was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. She survived. During the Holocaust, approximately 1.5 million children were murdered. Eva was one of the few who lived. After the war, she rebuilt her life, raised a family, and settled in Frankfurt. For decades, she remained silent—until a return visit to #Auschwitz led her to begin sharing her story. Today, Eva speaks in schools and memorial spaces, ensuring that the consequences of hatred are understood—and never forgotten. We are deeply honored that she joined our delegations to the @AuschwitzMuseum for the 75th and 80th anniversaries of liberation. #HolocaustEducation #SurvivorStories #NeverForget

Meet Catherine Boswell, our 2026 #Auschwitz Legacy Fellow of the Week. When asked why she applied for the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship, Catherine said, “I have always been interested in Holocaust education. I believe it began in fifth grade when I first learned about the Holocaust through the novel “Number the Stars.” The more I read, the more I wanted to absorb, and this sparked a lifelong journey to understand how such atrocities could occur. As an English teacher, I am in a unique position to use history and literature to educate as many students as possible on the Holocaust. At the same time, I know that there is so much more for me to learn as well. When the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship came to my attention, it was clear that it offered a remarkable chance to deepen my knowledge by learning directly from experts in the field as well as hearing from survivors. I am eager to expand my understanding and bring this knowledge back to my students and colleagues.” Catherine learned of the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship through ABMF's outreach and social media. #HolocaustEducation #TeachHistory #Educators

Even in the darkest times, Anne Frank believed beauty still existed. Anne died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in February or early March 1945—the exact date unknown—just weeks before liberation. She was 15. Around this time of year, we remember her voice and the hope she left the world. 🕯️ #AnneFrank #WWII #Holocaust #HolocaustEducation #JewishHistory #WeRemember

For #Holocaust survivor Angela Orosz-Richt, the taste of Bird’s Milk brings back vivid memories of her post-war childhood in Hungary.  Perhaps because of everything Angela’s mom lived through during the war, everyday moments were precious for her. Angela enjoyed her dessert in individual teacups or ramekins from her mother’s elegant dining set, a symbol that every day was a miracle. Today, recipes like this help preserve the memories and traditions passed down through generations. Angela shared her recipe in “Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors” (link in bio). #NeverForget #Auschwitz #FoodAndMemory

Mother. Teacher. Advocate. A voice for millions. Angela Orosz-Richt was born in #Auschwitz — a place where babies were not meant to survive. Through courage, kindness, and improbable turns of fate, she did. Today, this #Holocaust survivor speaks so the world remembers. 
#NeverForget #SurvivorStories

Meet Jeremy Campbell, one of our 2026 #Auschwitz Legacy Fellows. Jeremy is a high school history teacher in Birmingham, Alabama. He received both a B.A. in history and M.A. in History Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In his 21 years in education, he has taught AP and Advanced U.S. History,  as well as elective courses in #Holocaust Studies and the History of American Film.  When asked why he applied for the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship, Jeremy said, “I believe in the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and its lessons for my students. This Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with this history, learn from experts, collaborate with others committed to education and remembrance, and contribute to meaningful discussions about tolerance and human rights. Ultimately, I will come away from this Fellowship with invaluable resources and insights that I can bring back to my classroom. The sensitive nature of the topic requires a respectful approach, ensuring that discussions honor the experiences of victims while fostering an environment conducive to open dialogue. This opportunity will empower me to foster these meaningful conversations, encourage critical thinking, and inspire my students to become informed and compassionate global citizens.” Jeremy learned of the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship through ABMF's partnership with The Alabama Holocaust Education Center. #HolocaustEducation #preserve

We are proud to announce the 2026 #Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship cohort: 5th year of our flagship program. 48 U.S. educators.
12 states.
Year-long academic program + study in Poland, including an in-depth three-day visit to the @AuschwitzMuseum. In an era of rising #antisemitism & #Holocaust distortion, strong teachers matter. Memory multiplies through classrooms. #HolocaustEducation #AuschwitzLegacyFellowship #NeverAgain

Let’s meet Andrew Eggerding, a social studies teacher in Wyoming, Ohio and a proud 2025 #Auschwitz Legacy Fellow. A graduate of @OhioState and @XavierU, Andrew was inspired by the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower on the importance of witnessing Nazi atrocities firsthand so they can never be dismissed as propaganda. Through the Fellowship, he hopes to deepen how he brings #Holocaust history to life for his students—ensuring it is remembered not as a distant chapter, but as a lived reality. 🕯️📚 Andrew learned about the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship thanks to ABMF's partnership with @cincyhhc #HolocaustEducation

Let’s meet Megan Ferenczy, Director of Education at the Virginia Holocaust Museum and a proud 2025 #Auschwitz Legacy Fellow. A graduate of @UBuffalo , she’s spent 12 years leading #Holocaust education driven by a mission to visit the powerful places she teaches about. Her passion for remembrance inspires us all. 🕯️  #HolocaustEducation  @VaHolocaust

Purim tells a story Jews have carried across generations: vulnerability, courage, and survival. For educators, it offers historical depth: a narrative about minority life inside the empire, political instability, and moral courage in the absence of certainty. Understanding #Jewish holidays is part of understanding Jewish history: not only how Jews suffered, but how Jews lived. #Purim #JewishHistory #HolocaustEducation

Food is more than ingredients — it’s home, heritage, and memory. For #Holocaust survivor Eugene Ginter, that truth runs deep. Born February 8, 1939 in Kraków, he survived Płaszów, Gross-Rosen, Brünnlitz, and Auschwitz-Birkenau, and was liberated on January 27, 1945 — just before his sixth birthday. Reunited with his family but severely malnourished, Eugene’s mother helped him heal through food, including a simple chocolate sandwich that became a symbol of comfort and survival. The recipe was later featured in Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors (link in bio). Through food, memory, and his warm spirit, Eugene keeps his heritage alive to this day. Please join us in celebrating him! #HolocaustSurvivor #NeverForget #HolocaustRemembrance #SurvivorStories #JewishHistory #WeRemember #FoodAndMemory #Jewish

What does it mean to be #Jewish? Jewish identity resists easy categories. Even deeply trained #Holocaust educators struggle to answer this with nuance. This week, 70+ current & alumni Fellows gathered as the #Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship continues evolving to meet this challenge. Rabbi Michael Berenbaum reminded us: understanding Jewish life — faith, exile, culture, modern identity — restores humanity to a history too often reduced to statistics. Strengthening #HolocaustEducation means not only teaching about the #Shoah, but understanding who Jews are.