“The Start to a New Life”: Holocaust Survivor Lily Ebert’s Story of Survival, Hope & Legacy

“The Start to a New Life”: Holocaust Survivor Lily Ebert’s Story of Survival, Hope & Legacy

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In just six simple yet profound words, “The start to a new life”, an American-Jewish soldier unknowingly gave Lily Ebert a message of hope and resilience that would transcend generations. According to a report that appeared in The New York Post on Tuesday, these words were inscribed on a banknote handed to Ebert in 1945, shortly after her liberation from the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the grueling death marches that followed. Today, Ebert’s story of survival and her enduring spirit are among those celebrated in Nikki Schreiber’s poignant new book, “Humans of Judaism.”

Lily Ebert’s life changed irrevocably in 1944, when she and her family were forcibly removed from their home in Hungary and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, one of the most infamous Nazi death camps. As The New York Post report recounted, the Nazis murdered her mother, younger sister, brother, and over 100 members of her extended family in the gas chambers shortly after their arrival.

Ebert and two of her sisters were spared immediate execution but were instead forced into labor by the Nazis, their survival contingent upon their perceived usefulness. This brutal reality continued until April 1945, when, during one of the notorious death marches, they were liberated by American-Jewish soldiers.

One soldier handed Ebert a banknote with an inscription that would remain etched in her memory forever: “The start to a new life. Good luck and happiness.”

These words became more than just ink on paper—they symbolized a lifeline, a promise, and a glimmer of hope amid unfathomable darkness.

“Humans of Judaism,” is a powerful collection of over 200 stories celebrating Jewish identity, resilience, and heritage. As reported by The New York Post, the book features narratives ranging from Holocaust survivors to artists, inventors, founders, celebrities, and deeply personal family histories.

For Schreiber, including Ebert’s story was profoundly personal: “Lily Ebert really was personal to me. It’s a tough reality, but the treasure and hopefully the comfort to the surviving family is to see that there are various outlets offering to further the legacy. I hope it’s something meaningful,” Schreiber told The New York Post.

In an era marked by a sharp rise in anti-Semitism, stories like Ebert’s serve as beacons of light, reminding readers of both the devastating consequences of hatred and the unyielding power of hope.

For Dov Forman, Ebert’s great-grandson, her story is not just history—it’s a family legacy. In conversation with The New York Post, Forman described his great-grandmother as both a hero and the heart of their family: “To the world, she was this heroine, an inspiration. She was a hero to so many. To me, she was just my great-grandmother, and to our family she was just that ever-present queen of our large, loving family.”

Seventy-six years after her liberation, Ebert’s story reached millions through a powerful moment shared on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. As The New York Post report recounted, Forman posted a photo of the banknote on X (formerly Twitter), and the viral post ultimately led to an emotional video call with the soldier’s children in 2020.

Reflecting on the experience, Ebert told NBC News, as reported by The New York Post: “It is unbelievable. I never knew something like this could happen. It was a fantastic feeling.”

Forman echoed the sentiment, describing the connection as immediate and deeply familial: “It was really special. It felt like we were family, we just clicked.”

This chance connection blossomed into a shared mission to educate others about the Holocaust, ensuring that Ebert’s story—and the stories of millions of others—would not fade with time.

Ebert and Forman have since dedicated their online platforms to Holocaust education and awareness, amassing over a billion views across social media and more than two million followers. Their efforts have resonated far and wide, capturing the attention of King Charles III, who commissioned a painting of Ebert for Buckingham Palace—a profound recognition of her story’s significance.

Lily Ebert made a promise to herself during the Holocaust—if she survived, she would dedicate her life to educating the world about the atrocities she endured to ensure that such horrors would never happen again. As reported by The New York Post, Ebert kept that promise until her final days, sharing her story tirelessly through public speaking engagements, memoirs, and a powerful online presence. Before passing away at the age of 100 in October, Ebert left behind not only a deeply moving memoir, “Lily’s Promise”, but also a legacy that continues to educate and inspire countless people worldwide.

Ebert’s journey, as highlighted by The New York Post, is not just about survival but about resilience, hope, and the power of storytelling. Her ability to rebuild her life after experiencing the depths of human cruelty serves as an enduring testament to the strength of the human spirit.

In a world increasingly marred by rising anti-Semitism and historical amnesia, books such as “Humans of Judaism” provide a critical platform for preserving stories like Lily Ebert’s. As The New York Post report emphasized, these narratives not only honor the past but also serve as powerful tools for education, empathy, and change.

For Forman, seeing his great-grandmother’s story reach so many people is deeply meaningful:“It means so much. Her story is now a part of something greater, a legacy that will inspire generations to come.”

He added that, “It’s obviously a massive loss, but to know that she lives on in so many people, and in these books, and that she inspires so many to live their lives in such amazing and positive ways. To know that so many people do what they do because of my great-grandmother is so special for us as a family.”

Nikki Schreiber, the creator of Humans of Judaism, founded the platform out of her own grief after the passing of her father. As The New York Post report explained, Schreiber channeled her sorrow into storytelling, creating a space to share stories of hope, strength, and perseverance from across the Jewish world.

The release of her book coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Humans of Judaism social media page. However, the timing also aligned with a period of profound communal grief amid rising anti-Semitism and the Israel-Hamas conflict of October 2023.

Reflecting on the emotional weight of the book’s publication, Schreiber told The New York Post: “The timing was pretty wild with what was going on in the Jewish world. This was birthed out of my own personal grief, and here I stand again 10 years later in a personal community grief with everybody.”

The book serves as both a personal tribute and a communal balm, providing strength and resilience to readers during challenging times.

As The New York Post report detailed, each story in “Humans of Judaism” was carefully selected with a deep sense of responsibility and respect. The book includes tales of Holocaust survivors such as Lily Ebert, pioneers such as Louis and Lillian Zabar, and ordinary individuals with extraordinary journeys.

Schreiber explained the delicate process of choosing which stories to include: “Taking gentle care of their families’ stories and treasured history—it’s something I don’t take lightly.”

This year presented additional challenges due to heightened security concerns and public sensitivities following the October 7 Hamas attacks. Schreiber admitted to The New York Post, “On the one hand, you want to tell your stories; on the other hand, we’re publicizing information, names, things like that—it got a little trickier this year, I’m not going to pretend it didn’t.”

Amid rising anti-Semitism and global turmoil, The New York Post highlighted how Schreiber’s book serves as a beacon of hope and resilience. It’s not just a collection of stories; it’s a testament to human strength, survival, and shared identity.

Schreiber recounted a particularly moving encounter with a reader who was sitting shiva (the traditional Jewish mourning period): “I read your book this weekend, and it just gave me such a strength that I needed.”

These moments, as reported by The New York Post, draw attention to the profound impact the book is having within the Jewish community—offering solace, strength, and inspiration when it’s needed most.

One of the defining features of “Humans of Judaism”, as The New York Post report explained, is its focus on ordinary people doing extraordinary things. These stories aren’t just about prominent figures or well-known leaders; they highlight individuals from all walks of life who have found unique ways to combat hate, foster understanding, and lead with love.

Schreiber puts it succinctly when speaking with The New York Post: “We all have our own way of doing something positive and significant to combat hate and lead with love, and everybody has it in their own voice and style.”

This approach not only celebrates individual courage but also emphasizes the importance of collective action and shared humanity. As The New York Post report noted, these stories serve as a reminder that every act of kindness, every gesture of solidarity, and every effort to bridge divides contributes to a better world.

Schreiber further explained to The New York Post: “It helps you to see what people risk and what people do, and I think that’s such an important part of how the world goes around.”

For Dov Forman, a key figure in preserving Ebert’s legacy, the lessons drawn from stories like his great-grandmother’s are essential tools for navigating today’s challenges. Speaking with The New York Post, Forman stressed the importance of looking to “community heroes” for guidance and inspiration:“Look for those community heroes, those people who have got through in the past and who inspire us to continue going today.”

Forman emphasized that the book is not just about remembering the sadness and suffering of the past but also about drawing inspiration from those who found a way to rebuild, heal, and hope: “It’s not just about people learning about the sadness, but also taking inspiration of how they can build a better life when going through such hard times and how things will get better, because the world, especially now, so often seems so dark.”

In sharing one of his great-grandmother’s most enduring messages, Forman adds: “But my great-grandmother always used to say that better times, better days will come.”

These words encapsulate the spirit of resilience that “Humans of Judaism” seeks to share with the world.

While the “Humans of Judaism” Instagram page continues to thrive with millions of engaged followers, Nikki Schreiber recognizes the unique value of a printed book in a screen-saturated world. As The New York Post reported, Schreiber believes that physical books offer a lasting and intimate connection to stories in a way that digital media cannot replicate.

She encourages readers to make the book a part of their homes and their lives: “Have this in print, have it proudly in your home. I find it to be just like a family photo album. There’s no my story. It’s our story.”

This perspective is particularly poignant in the context of rising anti-Semitism, where digital spaces are frequently marred by hateful rhetoric and misinformation. As Schreiber noted, stepping away from screens and holding a tangible representation of shared history and collective identity can be deeply healing and grounding.

As Schreiber so beautifully puts it: “There’s no my story. It’s our story.”

In a world that often feels fragmented and uncertain, these stories remind us of our shared humanity and the power of connection, resilience, and love. Through Nikki Schreiber’s “Humans of Judaism” and the unwavering commitment of Dov Forman, Ebert’s legacy continues to reach new hearts and minds.