Abdelrahman
Remembering Rose Girone: An Inspiring Holocaust Survivor
In 1938, while living in Breslau, Germany, Rose Girone was eight months pregnant when her husband was interned at the Buchenwald concentration camp. Determined to find safety, she managed to secure passage to Shanghai, where she endured a challenging seven years living in a cramped bathroom within a Jewish ghetto. Once she relocated to the United States, Rose adapted by renting whatever accommodations she could afford and supported her daughter through her knitting skills.
Throughout her life, Rose faced numerous challenges, including enduring two pandemics, but she approached each day with remarkable positivity and practicality. “Aren’t we lucky?” she often remarked, reflecting her sunny disposition despite the hardships she faced.
Renowned as one of the oldest Holocaust survivors, Rose Girone passed away at a nursing home in North Bellmore, New York, at the age of 113. Her daughter, Reha Bennicasa, who is also a Holocaust survivor, confirmed her passing. Rose cherished simple pleasures, often attributing her longevity to two key factors: dark chocolate and supportive, loving children.
According to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, approximately 245,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors remain worldwide, receiving support from organizations dedicated to their welfare.
In the wake of Rose’s passing, Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the aforementioned organization, emphasized the importance of sharing Holocaust narratives while we still have firsthand witnesses among us. “The Holocaust is transitioning from living memory to historical record, and its vital lessons must not be forgotten, especially in our current times,” he stated. “Rose represented true resilience, and it is now our responsibility to honor her legacy by continuing to educate others.”
