Holocaust survivor’s 101st birthday celebrated

Amid theCOVID-19 pandemic, the local community celebratedHallandale BeachHolocaust survivor Julius Eisenstein’s 101st birthday with a driveby caravan.

“Therewere a lot of wonderful things,” Eisenstein said regarding the celebration. “They had the mayor ofHallandale Beach [Joy Cooper] giveme the key to the city.”

Officers fromthe

Broward Sheriff’s Office led the caravan, whichwas put together by theHolocaust Documentation& Education Center inDania Beach. The celebration ended in front of Eisenstein’s apartment building inHallandale Beach. It included a cake, balloons and poster-sized photos featuring his childhood, liberation and recent events.

Eisensteinwas born on Oct. 13, 1919 in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland. Among the concentration camps he survived include

Auschwitz-Birkenau and Dachau. He has shared his story publicly over the years, especially to high school and college students during the HDEC’s Student AwarenessDays. His purpose is to ensure that what happened to him and others who suffered through theHolocaust does not happen again to anyone in theworld.

“Julius has devoted his life to ensuring thatwe stop hate, violence, prejudice, bullying and bigotry,” said Rositta E. Kenigsberg, the

HDEC’s president said. “He is a 21st century hero, sowe thought itwas important to honor and cherish him with this birthday celebration for all of thework and life commitment that he has given to so many students and teachers in our community, as he really understands what hatred and prejudice can do.”

Whenever he has spoken with students, Eisenstein said he always makes the statement, “You don’t have to likeme, but why do you have to hate me?”

HOWIE SONNENSCHEIN Holocaust survivor Julius Eisenstein of Hallandale Beach with Broward Sheriff’s Office police officers who provided escort for his 101st drive-by birthday caravan.