Talk by Rudi Oppenheimer: Holocaust Survivor

Rudi Oppenheimer was  a German Jew, whose family fled Germany before the war, in reponse to Nazi anti-semitism.  He spent some time in England, but his father could not secure asylum there, so the family ended up in the Netherlands in the years immediately preceding September 1939. 

We were treated to a fascinating, if typically harrowing account of his early life, up to his incarceration in Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp.  The only reason that his immeditae family and he were not sent to one of the more infamous 'Death Camps' seemed to be that his sister was born in England and therefore had a British Birth Certificate.  It turned out that the Germans were using foreign nationals, including those of Jewish origin, to trade for German prisoners of war.  Of course, both sets of their grandparents were sent off to the East, in this case Sobibor, where they were sent to the gas chambers on arrival. Rudi, his elder brother, Paul and younger sister Eve survived the war, but unfortunately both their mother and father died of disease in Bergen Belsen. 

Like all of the stories of  experiencing the Holocaust at first hand, it was both unique and gripping in its own macabre way.  While they are still alive - and Rudi Oppenheimer is a very fit looking 75 year old who I am sure will go on recounting his experiences for many years to come - we are absolutely indebted to them for giving up their time to keep this never-to-be-forgotten period of History alive.  At the end, many boys stayed behind to get a copy of his brother's book recounting their story 'From Belsen to Buckingham Palace'. 

Merchiston will continue to use the Holocaust Educational Trust, that does such excellent work sending round Holocaust survivors to recount their experiences to willing listeners.  On this occasion, thank you to Rudi Oppenheimer for giving up his time and energy to speak to the boys and staff of Merchiston.