Photo By Heidi Cherry
Herman Haller, 102, has lived a life defined by family, love and resilience. Born in Berlin, Germany, he was 9 years old when the Nazis came into power in 1933. After surviving the violence of Kristallnacht in 1938, Haller spent several years scraping by in France and Belgium. Eventually, he was deported to Auschwitz, where he endured the unspeakable horrors of the concentration camp. At the time of his liberaton, he weighed just 55 pounds and believes he was only days away from death. He recovered and went on to build a new life in the United States.
“The Holocaust did not begin with gas chambers,” Haller says. “It started with normalizing hate and the brainwashing of large groups of people.”
After a brief stay on a family farm in New Jersey, he relocated to New York, where he met and married his beloved wife of 73 years, Lore (now deceased), on Christmas Day 1949. Haller now lives in Deerfield Beach; he and Lore came to South Florida as snowbirds in 1969 and eventually became year-round residents.
Haller attributes his longevity to staying busy and spending time with family — he enjoys visits with his children, grandchildren and friends. Although now unable to participate in many of the hobbies that once kept his mind and spirit engaged — such as bicycling, ceramics, photography and working with stained glass — he remains involved with HEAL (Holocaust Education Advocacy Leaders), sharing his story with schoolchildren.
HEAL is an advocacy program that teaches the lessons of the Holocaust while promoting tolerance and understanding. It aligns with Haller’s hopes for the future — that peace will triumph and that coming generations will create a world free from hatred and discrimination.
“I am living proof that the Holocaust happened,” he says. “My experiences were too painful to share for many years, but I am glad now to teach these schoolchildren what happens when hate and ignorance prevail. Their response has been incredible and gives me hope that peace and better times are ahead.”
Haller continues: “I am pleased to live in a caring community, and I have two lovely daughters who keep in touch with me and check on me every day. I am grateful for every day I feel well enough to enjoy my family and community.”