Manfred’s story reminds us that even after the greatest evil, goodness can endure - The Jewish Chronicle

When I think of Manfred Goldberg MBE, I think of dignity, courage, and kindness. He was admired and respected by everyone he met – from students and teachers to Prime Ministers and members of the Royal Family – and loved deeply by those who knew him best.

Like all survivors, Manfred endured unimaginable loss. He carried the lifelong pain of losing his younger brother Hermann, who vanished with other children from the Precu concentration camp. He would recall hearing his mother’s desperate cry – “Where is my child?” – a sound that never left him.

Manfred had a rare gift for finding light in the darkest places. Born in Kassel, Germany in 1930, he witnessed the rise of the Nazis and all that would follow. I will always be moved by his story of celebrating his bar mitzvah in the Riga ghetto – a moment of faith and joy amid fear and deprivation. It was an act of defiance and humanity that captured the essence of who he was.

That quiet strength stayed with him throughout his life. When his fate became known in recent weeks, he responded calmly: “The Almighty has made His decision. I’ve had a good life.” He met his final days with the same grace that defined every chapter of his life.

In April 2023, Manfred travelled with the Prince and Princess of Wales to Stutthof concentration camp – a place he had never returned to. He was nervous beforehand, uncertain how it would feel to confront such a painful past. Yet, standing beside Their Royal Highnesses, he found the courage to speak about his experiences. In a profoundly moving moment, he handed the Prince of Wales a copy of the memorial prayer, El Male Rachamim, asking him to read it in English as Manfred recited the Hebrew words for his brother Hermann and all those murdered there. It was a scene of solemn beauty – a survivor, once dehumanised, now standing alongside the future King in remembrance.

Last year, the Trust launched Testimony 360 – a groundbreaking project combining interactive testimony with virtual reality to preserve survivors’ voices for generations to come. Manfred’s story was the first to be recorded. Over the course of a week, he answered more than a thousand questions, ensuring future students will be able to see and hear him, ask questions, and walk through the places that shaped his story. Recently, he was able to show Testimony 360 to His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace – a proud moment.

Among the recreated settings in the VR is his living room. We see Manfred with a book in hand, his wife, Shary, beside him with her embroidery, surrounded by family photographs. It is an image of warmth and peace, a fitting reflection of the life he built after the Holocaust – rich with love, learning, and meaning.

Manfred’s life was filled with honours. He was respected by world leaders, recognised with a BEM and later an MBE, and inspired tens of thousands of young people across the country. Yet he would always say his greatest achievement was his family – his “ultimate revenge” against the Nazis.

He understood the responsibility that came with survival. For him, remembrance was not only about the past but about standing up to antisemitism today. In his final years, he wore his yellow ribbon proudly to every event – a quiet yet powerful statement of resilience and defiance.

I will never forget the last time I went to see Manfred. He placed his hands on my head and quietly recited the priestly blessing – “Yivarechecha Hashem Viyishmirecha” – “May the Lord bless and guard you.” One of the most powerful blessings in Judaism. It is a moment I will carry with me always.

Manfred Goldberg’s legacy is one of strength, humility, and humanity. His story reminds us that even after the greatest evil, goodness can endure. He was a true Tzadik – a righteous man – and we will strive harder than ever in his name to continue his mission. May his memory be a blessing.

Karen Pollock is chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust

To get more from opinion, click here to sign up for our free Editor's Picks newsletter.

Topics:

Manfred Goldberg