LONDON – Lily Ebert, a renowned Holocaust survivor celebrated for her influential use of social media to educate about the Holocaust, passed away Wednesday at the age of 100, as confirmed by her great-grandson, Dov Forman.
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Lily Ebert — 1923-2024.
A light that shone so brightly has today gone dark. pic.twitter.com/A5bymeiFTG
— Dov Forman (@DovForman) October 9, 2024
Ebert peacefully departed at her residence in London, surrounded by family. Forman shared this poignant news in a heartfelt Facebook post, reflecting on her extraordinary life and legacy.
Having endured the tragic loss of several family members, including her mother, younger sister, and brother during the Holocaust, Ebert devoted her life to educating others about these horrific events in honor of those who were lost. Throughout her life, she reached a vast audience of millions worldwide. Forman highlighted that despite her advanced age, Ebert enthusiastically embraced social media, collaborating with him on TikTok to share vital lessons from the Holocaust, resulting in a substantial following of over 2 million on both TikTok and Instagram, with their videos accumulating over a billion views.
“Never has a promise been so profoundly fulfilled as hers,” Forman stated. “She taught us the significance of tolerance and faith, the importance of speaking out, and the necessity of opposing prejudice.”
On behalf of the whole country, I want to send my deepest condolences on the passing of the extraordinary Lily Ebert. pic.twitter.com/MeAK3x5Yvb
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 9, 2024
A survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where she was taken in July 1944, Ebert rebuilt her life after the war and went on to create a loving family. She raised three children, ten grandchildren, and an impressive 38 great-grandchildren, with one of her daughters having passed away before her.
In her memoir, “Lily’s Promise: How I Survived Auschwitz and Found the Strength to Live,” Ebert recounted her remarkable experiences during the Holocaust, earning numerous accolades for her contributions to Holocaust education and remembrance. She was not only recognized for her engaging storytelling but also for her unwavering commitment to ensuring that the atrocities of the Holocaust would never be forgotten.
Born on December 29, 1923, in Bonyhad, Hungary, Ebert was raised in a Jewish family living a relatively ordinary life until World War II disrupted everything. As the eldest of six children, she grew up in a close-knit family until her father tragically died from pneumonia in 1942.
A message of condolence from His Majesty The King following the passing of Lily Ebert MBE, Holocaust survivor and educator. pic.twitter.com/iL5T2KJj0C
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 9, 2024
When the Nazis invaded Hungary in 1944, Ebert, then 20, and her family were forcibly removed from their home and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Her brother Imi was the only sibling who escaped the camp, having been conscripted into a labor battalion. Upon arriving at the concentration camp, Ebert was separated from her mother, Nina, and her siblings, who were immediately sent to the gas chambers.
Ebert and her two remaining sisters, Piri and Renee, were chosen for forced labor and endured horrific conditions for four months in the camp. They were later transferred to a munitions factory, where they worked until 1945. During a death march, they were liberated by Allied forces, an experience that profoundly influenced Ebert’s subsequent advocacy work.
After liberation, Ebert and her sisters spent time in a displaced persons camp administered by American forces. Seeking a new beginning, they initially found refuge in Switzerland, where Ebert encountered indifference from the local community regarding her experiences. In a 2021 interview with The Times of Israel, she expressed that “the world did not want to know” about the Holocaust and that her stories were often met with reluctance to engage.
In 1946, with assistance from Agudat Yisrael, the three sisters immigrated to British Mandate Palestine, where Ebert met and married her husband, Shmuel. Together, they raised three children and built a loving household. In 1953, she experienced the joy of reuniting with her brother Imi, who also survived the war.
In 1967, Ebert and her family returned to Europe, ultimately settling in London, where she lived until her death.
In recent years, Ebert’s commitment to educating younger generations intensified as she and Forman leveraged TikTok and Instagram. Their engaging videos answered questions and provided insights into the Holocaust, significantly raising awareness among young audiences. Their impactful storytelling not only served to educate but also fostered dialogue about tolerance and the importance of remembering history.
Ebert’s advocacy extended beyond social media; she received several honors for her dedication to Holocaust education. In 2016, she was awarded the British Empire Medal for her efforts, and in 2022, she received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary, acknowledging her contributions to Holocaust remembrance. She was also the inaugural recipient of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize and received an award from the Austrian parliament for her civic engagement against antisemitism.
In 2023, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to Holocaust education, a testament to her influence and commitment.
Following the announcement of her passing, tributes poured in from various figures, highlighting her significant impact on Holocaust education and awareness. Michael Newman, CEO of the Association of Jewish Refugees, referred to Ebert as a “trailblazing advocate for Holocaust education,” while Karen Pollock, head of the Holocaust Educational Trust, hailed her as “the epitome of strength and determination.”
The Chief Rabbi of the UK, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, described Ebert as a “beacon of resilience and courage,” emphasizing her unwavering commitment to educating others about the Holocaust. He remarked, “She emerged from the unspeakable horrors of Auschwitz, not with bitterness or cynicism, but with a promise: to bear witness, to educate, and to inspire.”
Other notable figures honoring Ebert included the Embassy of Hungary in the UK, historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, British MP Priti Patel, and former Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy.
Ebert’s funeral took place Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. London time, followed by her burial in Israel on Thursday. Her family will observe shiva in both London and Jerusalem until Friday afternoon.
Lily Ebert’s enduring legacy of education and advocacy will continue to inspire future generations to remember the past and stand against prejudice.
Lily Ebert z’l was truly a beacon of resilience, courage, and unwavering faith in difficult times.
She emerged from the unspeakable horrors of Auschwitz, not with bitterness or cynicism, but with a promise: to bear witness, to educate, and to inspire.
Her undeniable… https://t.co/2usR8Ljp5V
— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) October 9, 2024
The funeral of Auschwitz survivor Lily Ebert, who passed away this morning at almost 101 years old at her home in NW London.
Lily z”l will fly to her beloved Israel later this evening and will be buried in Jerusalem.
May her memory be a huge blessing. pic.twitter.com/AgfDpZhLwI
— James J. Marlow (@James_J_Marlow) October 9, 2024