Bernard Offen, 96, is the oldest of Krakow's 58 Holocaust survivors. He survived 5 concentration camps including Auschwitz-Birkenau, where his father was murdered in the gas chamber. Bernard has spent decades telling his story to Jews and non-Jews, urging them to be open-minded and empathetic and to care for others.
But this remarkable human being not only talks the talk, he walks the walk—or rather, he rides the ride. At age 96, Bernard will once again get on a tandem bike with me and ride from the darkness of Auschwitz to the light of JCC Krakow. He does this ride to help the JCC raise money to care for Holocaust survivors and their descendants here in Krakow. He knows how difficult it is for the JCC to raise the necessary funds every year to rebuild Jewish life in his hometown.
We are hoping that, if this remarkable 96-year-old survivor can get up at 5 am, put on spandex biking shorts, and ride away from the concentration camp in which he was imprisoned 81 years ago, then you can help him achieve his goal.
On behalf of Bernard, I thank you.
Jonathan