Alice Herz-Sommer was a Jewish pianist and music teacher who survived the Theresienstadt concentration camp during the Holocaust. Born on November 26, 1903 in the Czech Republic, she was considered the oldest known Holocaust survivor until her passing in 2014 at the age of 110.
Alice's passion for music began at a young age, and she studied at the Prague German Conservatory of Music. She honed her piano skills and started performing in concerts before the German occupation of Prague during World War II.
During the war, Alice and her family were sent to the Theresienstadt concentration camp. Despite the unimaginable hardships she faced, Alice continued to play music to bring hope and solace to herself and her fellow prisoners. Her incredible strength and resilience helped her survive the horrors of the camp.
After the war, Alice moved to Israel and later settled in London, where she continued to teach and perform music. She became known for her optimism and philosophy of finding joy in every moment, despite the trauma she had endured.
Alice's life story inspired many, and in 2012, Random House published a book about her life titled "A Century of Wisdom: Lessons From the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer." The book chronicled her extraordinary journey and the lessons she learned about resilience, forgiveness, and the power of music.
In 1931, Alice married businessman Leopold Sommer, with whom she had a son. Tragically, their son passed away in 2001. Despite the losses she faced, Alice remained a beacon of hope and positivity.
Alice Herz-Sommer's story is often compared to that of Anne Frank, another young Jewish girl who documented her experiences during the Holocaust. Both women's stories serve as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Throughout her life, Alice Herz-Sommer touched the hearts of those who knew her with her talent, strength, and unwavering optimism. Her legacy lives on through her music, her teachings, and the countless lives she inspired.