Chemnitz honors Justin Sonder: New stele for his 100th birthday!

Chemnitz honors Justin Sonder: New stele for his 100th birthday!

Today in Chemnitz an important symbol is being set in memory of the victims of National Socialism. On the occasion of the 100th birthday of Justin Sonder, one of the last survivors of the Holocaust, the city of Chemnitz has erected a new information stele. This stands next to the existing “Bank for Justin Sonder” on Chemnitz Brühl, which was inaugurated a year ago as a place of remembrance and warning. These two memorials honor the commitment and life story of a man whose experiences and lessons are invaluable to today's generation. That's how he reports MDR.

Justin Sonder, born on October 18, 1925 in Chemnitz, grew up in a Jewish family. He experienced the horrors of growing anti-Semitism in Germany, including the pogrom night on November 9, 1938. His training as a cook was interrupted by forced labor in an armaments factory from 1941 to 1943. On February 27, 1943, he was arrested and deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp. There he survived under extreme conditions, fasting and brutal beatings, and had to endure 17 selections. After several death marches, he was finally liberated by the American army on April 23, 1945 and returned to his hometown on June 19, 1945, where he lived until his death. Details about his eventful life story can be found on the city of Chemnitz website, which compiles more about his career and his achievements as a contemporary witness Chemnitz.

Commitment to humanity and democracy

Justin Sonder worked as a reminder throughout his life. In the last years of his life he campaigned tirelessly for democracy, humanity and cosmopolitanism. He was a sought-after dialogue partner in schools and at events, where he shared his impressive experiences as a Holocaust survivor. With over 500 events he has organized since 1997, he has reached thousands of students. He taught the younger ones to understand the dark chapters of history and to take responsibility for a better future. In 2015, he was also the recipient of the Medal of Honor from the International Auschwitz Committee, an award for people who are involved in education and prevention work.

His influence and his messages lived on in each of his lectures, which he gave at the invitation of schools and clubs. Sonder always emphasized that crimes against humanity, such as those committed by National Socialism, must not be repeated. He took his last significant trip at the age of 90, when he testified against a former death camp guard in Detmold in 2016. He died on November 3, 2020 at the age of 95, but his legacy lives on in the memories and engagement of his listeners.

A lasting legacy

The importance of memorials like the new stele in Chemnitz is not only reflected in the memory of individuals like Justin Sonder, but also reflects the collective memory of the victims of National Socialism. There are numerous institutions in Germany dedicated to remembering the victims. An overview of other memorials for the victims of National Socialism can be viewed on Wikipedia Wikipedia.

With the construction of the new information stele and the bench, an important step is being taken in Chemnitz to keep the memory of Justin Sonder and his messages of humanity and responsibility alive. The city shows that it not only wants to keep the lessons from its history in memory, but also actively transport them into the present day.