The Shrinking Number of Holocaust Survivors on the 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz’s Liberation

The Shrinking Number of Holocaust Survivors on the 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz’s Liberation

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The global population of Holocaust survivors has dwindled to approximately 220,000, marking a sobering milestone on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, according to a report that appeared on Monday on the Axios web site. This anniversary, observed alongside International Holocaust Remembrance Day, is particularly poignant, as it is likely the last major commemoration that will include the presence of child survivors—the youngest generation to have lived through the Holocaust.

As Axios reported, the anniversary serves as a critical reminder of the urgency to preserve the testimonies of Holocaust survivors in the face of rising anti-Semitism and misinformation that threaten to obscure the truth of their experiences. The survivors’ voices offer a living connection to history, but their numbers are rapidly declining, intensifying the need to document their stories before they are lost forever.

Survivors are playing a central role in events commemorating this historic anniversary, according the information provided in the Axios report.. In Oświęcim, Poland, a small group of survivors is scheduled to speak at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum. Meanwhile, in the United States, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., will host events featuring survivors who continue to bear witness to the atrocities they endured.

The global Holocaust survivor community, as detailed in the Axios report, now spans around 90 countries but has shrunk from 245,000 survivors just last year. The majority of these individuals, roughly 95%, are child survivors born between 1928 and 1946, which calls attention to the urgency of preserving their stories as they enter advanced age.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, established on the anniversary of the Soviet Red Army’s liberation of Auschwitz, not only commemorates the millions of Jews killed during the Holocaust but also highlights the experiences of survivors who endured Nazi death camps across Europe. The Axios report emphasized that this day serves as a powerful reminder of the Holocaust’s lasting impact and the importance of combating denial and distortion of its history.

This month, the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) launched a powerful digital campaign titled “I Survived Auschwitz: Remember This,” as was reported by Axios. The campaign features Holocaust survivors who endured Auschwitz, sharing video testimonies that answer a profound question: “Given your experience as an Auschwitz survivor, what is one specific thing you want people to remember for generations to come?”

Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, captured the gravity of the moment in a statement shared by Axios, he said: “As we lose survivors, it is our responsibility to listen to their voices and carry their stories forward.”

In a powerful testimony shared with Axios, Holocaust survivor Aron Krell reflected on the profound personal losses he endured during one of history’s darkest chapters. “I survived five concentration camps and ghettos—including Auschwitz. I know many people can’t fathom what I have endured,” Krell said, recounting the devastating loss of his brother, Zvi, who died of starvation after a year in the Lodz ghetto. Krell’s deeply emotional words form the backbone of a global campaign by the Claims Conference, underscoring the enduring importance of Holocaust remembrance in an era of rising anti-Semitism and dwindling survivor testimonies.

The campaign, partially inspired by Krell’s testimony, aims to humanize the atrocities of the Holocaust by focusing on personal narratives. As reported by Axios, Krell’s poignant recollection of his brother reflected the unbearable grief shared by millions of families torn apart by Nazi persecution. “You can understand loving a brother like I loved Zvi, can imagine the unbearable pain that comes with losing one, and, hopefully, agree that the lessons of the Holocaust must always be remembered,” Krell said. His testimony serves as a reminder that Holocaust remembrance is not just about preserving history—it is about ensuring that its lessons shape our collective future.

As the world commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day a troubling increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes and rhetoric has occurred.  According to the information provided in the Axios report, data from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, revealed that reported anti-Jewish hate crimes in 20 major U.S. cities rose by 48% in 2023, setting a new record.

The rise of high-profile anti-Semitic incidents further exacerbates the issue. Axios also reported that Elon Musk, one of the world’s most influential figures, was accused of giving a Nazi salute and downplaying Germany’s historical responsibility for the Holocaust during remarks to members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Such incidents not only amplify hate but also contribute to the normalization of Holocaust distortion.

According to the information contained in the Axios report, the Claims Conference’s Index on Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness has exposed a concerning global trend: fading public knowledge about the Holocaust. While Auschwitz-Birkenau remains the most recognized Nazi death camp, nearly half (48%) of Americans surveyed could not name a single concentration camp or ghetto from World War II. Even more alarmingly, a majority of respondents across eight surveyed countries were unaware that six million Jews were slaughtered during the Holocaust.

This lack of knowledge has profound implications. Axios reported that in the United States, 76% of adults surveyed believe something akin to the Holocaust could happen again, underscoring the pressing need for education and vigilance against the significant escalation of visceral Jew hatred.

Krell’s testimony and the broader campaign serve as a wake-up call in a time of rising hate and historical amnesia. As the Axios report emphasized, remembering the Holocaust is not just an act of honoring the past—it is a moral obligation to safeguard the future. By educating the public, combating anti-Semitism, and amplifying survivor stories, society can work to ensure that the atrocities of the Holocaust are never repeated.

The enduring message of survivors like Krell is clear: the pain of loss, the resilience of the human spirit, and the lessons of the Holocaust must always be remembered. It is a message that demands action, especially in a world where the forces of hate and denial continue to grow.