Gerlind Institute for Cultural Studies

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Ralph Samuel

Ralph Samuel • August 22, 2009

Ralph Samuel at UCBerkeley. (Photo: JB)

“I was born in Dresden, Germany in 1931 and in 1939 was sent alone on a Kindertransport to England to escape the Holocaust. I was educated in England including the University of London, School of Economics and at age 27 immigrated to the United States.

Since retirement, I have been on the Speakers Bureau of the Holocaust Center of Northern California speaking about the Holocaust and my experiences at Bay Area schools. I regularly speak to public and parochial schools, to single classes and general assemblies of 250 kids.

In October 2007, the Erste Bürgermeister invited me back to Dresden on an official visit. This was my first trip back in 15 years. Suzanne, my eldest daughter, accompanied me and the visit was a great success.

In Spring 2008, I spent three months in Heidelberg taking German lessons and getting to know the country. In Spring 2009, I returned to Heidelberg for two months and had the opportunity of speaking to students and adults in Heidelberg and Dresden.”

In 2019 Ralph was honored at the 17th Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day, in Berkeley.