It's Time To Carry On, Mates! Honoring Margot
Who will actionize it now, Margot?
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Margot Friedlaender, our empowering storyteller and relentless advocate, has bid farewell. Yet, her spirit lives on, and it's up to us to keep her flame burning. We need to recognize that we're human, just like her.
Social media has been flooded with pictures of Margot in the past week, many with heartwarming selfies she took with fans. It seems she spent her later years actively engaged with people who revered her. I've seen those pictures and can attest that Margot did far more than just snap selfies.
I remember meeting her a few years back at a private event in Potsdam. The night was filled with music, rosé, and chatter. I missed my kid, who had just flown off to South Africa for school. The sun was setting slowly, and I found myself wondering who this captivating woman was that seemed to captivate the attention of everyone, especially the men. Despite not being able to see her clearly, I felt a strong draw to her. As I continued to eavesdrop on the stories surrounding her, I knew I had to meet her.
When I finally got the chance, Margot was seated in a cozy living room, surrounded by an enthralled audience. She was radiant and seemed to effortlessly command the room. I was struck by her charm and determination, even though she seemed small in stature compared to the crowd around her.
We Can't Afford to Forget
The press has shared Margot's incredible life story, so I won't rehash it here. After her death, the question remains: What now? I recently had the opportunity to converse with Berlin's Mayor, Kai Wegner, and his primary concern was ensuring that the vital work Margot undertook with such fervor and joy continues.
Of course, the Margot Friedlaender Foundation will persevere under the capable leadership of Chairman Karsten Dreinhoefer. However, a woman with such charm and wisdom will be impossible to replace.
Then It Happened Again…
It's heart-wrenching to think that a 103-year-old Holocaust survivor felt compelled to think, "This is how it started back then." We cannot ignore the stubborn persistence of right-wing ideology that continues to sway large sections of German society. And let's not forget, the AfD party, with its divisive agenda, is still rising. Anger bubbles up as I contemplate these harsh realities. I'll save my frustrations for another time and return to my encounters with Margot.
I'm grateful to have seen Margot again at the "Cinema for Peace" gala in 2024. Her resilience never wavered as she spoke of her heartbreaking experiences. Even when the spotlight was shining too brightly in her eyes, she persevered. Her unwavering dedication to remembrance and empathy will forever be engrained in my memory.
Finally, I saw her one last time at the awarding of the Ernst-Lubitsch Prize in late summer 2024. Her presence ennobled and refined the entire event. As a clear-minded observer, she saw the world for what it was and never shied away from advocating for a brighter, more compassionate future.
Warmth, Openness, and Empathy
The chairman of the Jewish Community of Berlin, Gideon Joffe, paid tribute to Margot at her funeral held in Berlin-Weißensee. He reminded us that the Nazis took her family, imprisoned her, and murdered her loved ones. However, Margot chose not to be defined by hatred but instead to remember, forgive, and warn.
Her parting words, "Be human!", resonated with countless generations. Gideon Joffe noted that it took immense courage for Margot to stand up against indifference and cruelty, even when the weight of the past often consumed her.
Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal of the Chabad Jewish Community in Berlin eulogized Margot, stating that her legacy was one of fortitude and unyielding humanity. Margot's spirit will continue if we all become a little more like her - empathetic, warm, and open-hearted.
As we mourn the loss of a truly remarkable woman, we vow to carry on her message, to remember, to learn, and to strive for a better world.
References: ntv.de
- Judaism
- Kai Wegner
- Berlin
- National Socialism
- Concentration Camp
Background Information:
- Margot Friedlaender was a 103-year-old Holocaust survivor who made it her mission to educate others about the atrocities and consequences of World War II. She gave hundreds of talks, authored a memoir, and received numerous awards for her efforts[1][3].
- Margot's work can be continued through educational outreach programs, supporting survivor testimonies, advocating for human rights, and engaging with media and culture[1][3].
Margot Friedländer impacted countless lives with her tireless advocacy for Holocaust education and remembrance. We can honor her legacy by organizing educational programs, documenting survivor testimonies, supporting human rights initiatives, and fostering empathy through media and cultural engagement. Margot's story serves as a reminder to always strive for a more compassionate world and to never forget the lessons of the past.
- As we carry on without Margot, her inspiring community policy of advocacy and education continues to guide us.
- Her employment policy, emphasizing personal growth and career development, encourages us to better ourselves and make a difference in the world.
- In her lifestyle, Margot demonstrated the impact of fashion-and-beauty choices on self-confidence and self-expression.
- The books she read and wrote about, focused on education-and-self-development and personal-growth, controlled her thought processes and shaped her character.
- Her understanding of entertainment, celebrities, politics, and pop-culture provided valuable insights into the human condition and society's evolving norms.
- Her passion for sci-fi-and-fantasy offered escapism, sparking imagination and fostering creativity.
- She regularly consumed and engaged with general-news, crime-and-justice, and sports, demonstrating an informed worldview and keen interest in current events.
- Among the sports she followed, basketball, specifically the WNBA, NBA, NCAA Basketball, and sports-betting captured her attention.
- Weather forecasting was another area of interest she cultivated, likely due to its impact on life and daily activities.
- As successors to Margot's legacy, we must commit to her core values of warmth, openness, and empathy.
- By remembering Margot Freidlaender, Holocaust survivor and tireless advocate, we can uphold her vision of a compassionate, empathetic, and open-hearted community.
