Oskar Schindler

Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist and member of the Nazi party who is widely known for his efforts to save the lives of more than 1,200 Jewish people during the Holocaust. His story was immortalized in the 1993 movie, Schindler’s List, directed by Steven Spielberg.

Schindler was born in 1908 in the city of Zwittau, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After completing his education, he worked in several different industries before finding success in the enamelware manufacturing business. In 1939, Schindler relocated to Krakow, Poland, where he purchased an enamelware factory that employed about 1,000 workers, many of whom were Jewish.

When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, Jewish people were subjected to increasingly severe persecution. They were forced to wear identifying armbands, had their businesses and property confiscated, and were restricted to living in ghettos. Schindler witnessed the plight of the Jewish people firsthand and became increasingly sympathetic to their suffering.

Despite being a member of the Nazi party, Schindler used his factory to shelter Jews from the Nazis. He gave them false work papers and provided them with food and shelter. Schindler also used his connections to bribe Nazi officials in order to keep Jewish workers from being sent to concentration camps.

However, it wasn’t until the liquidation of the Krakow ghetto in 1943 that Schindler truly became a hero of the Holocaust. Schindler persuaded the Nazi officials to allow him to move his factory and his Jewish workers to a new location in Czechoslovakia, which was away from the concentration camps. Schindler spent millions of German marks to bribe officials and provide for his workers, often at the expense of his own profits.

It is estimated that Schindler saved the lives of over 1,200 Jewish people during the Holocaust. When the war ended in 1945, Schindler was arrested and held as a prisoner of war by the Allies. However, he was released the following year and returned to Germany. Schindler was impoverished and struggled to rebuild his business. He also suffered from alcoholism and depression.

Despite his personal struggles, Schindler remained devoted to the Jewish people he had saved. He died in 1974 and was buried in Jerusalem as a member of the Righteous Among the Nations, a honorific title given to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

Schindler’s story is a testament to the power of individual action in the face of overwhelming evil. He was not a perfect person, but he recognized the humanity of Jewish people and acted to protect them in the face of persecution. His actions demonstrate that even one person can make a significant difference in the world.

Schindler’s legacy has continued to inspire people all over the world. His story has been told in numerous books, documentaries, and films, including Schindler’s List, which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The movie brought Schindler’s story to a new generation of people and cemented his place in history as a hero of the Holocaust.

In conclusion, Oskar Schindler was a man who demonstrated extraordinary courage and compassion during one of the darkest periods in human history. His actions saved the lives of over 1,200 Jewish people and serve as a powerful reminder that even in the face of unimaginable evil, individuals have the power to make a difference. His story is a testament to the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. Today, we remember Oskar Schindler as a hero and a moral exemplar for us all.