Edward Mosberg, a Polish Jewish Holocaust survivor renowned for his tireless efforts in fostering Polish-Jewish dialogue, passed away two years ago at the age of 96. Mosberg, who survived the atrocities of Nazi concentration camps, was also a recipient of the prestigious Gregory I the Great Prize, awarded by the Polish magazine Nowe Państwo.
Born on January 6, 1926, in Kraków, Poland, Mosberg was just 13 when World War II began. He endured the horrors of the Holocaust, surviving imprisonment at the Płaszow and Mauthausen concentration camps. Tragically, most of his family perished during the genocide. In 1951, Mosberg immigrated to New York, where he lived for the rest of his life.
A Life Dedicated to Holocaust Remembrance and Polish-Jewish Reconciliation
Despite the personal tragedies he endured, Mosberg dedicated his life to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and promoting reconciliation between Jews and Poles. He was a frequent participant in memorial ceremonies at former concentration camps and an advocate for educating future generations about the Holocaust. In his honour, the “From the Depths” Foundation created the Edward Mosberg Award, recognizing Poles who risked their lives to save Jews during the war.
In May 2019, Mosberg received the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. This distinction, awarded by the President of Poland, acknowledged his exceptional contributions to improving Polish-Jewish relations and promoting awareness of the vital role Poles played in rescuing Jews during the war.
Edward Mosberg Honoured with Gregory I the Great Prize for Lifelong Holocaust Education and Advocacy
In 2020, Mosberg was honoured with the Gregory I the Great Prize by *Nowe Państwo* for his lifelong commitment to Holocaust education. During his acceptance speech at the Strefa Wolnego Słowa (Free Speech Zone) gala, he said:
“Thank you very much for appreciating my work in educating people about the Holocaust. I always preach the truth and nothing but the truth, and I work every day to deepen good relations between Jews and Poles. Because I believe that together we can achieve more. I accept this honour today on behalf of my entire family and the 6 million Jews and 2 million Poles brutally murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust on Polish territory.”
Edward Mosberg remained committed to sharing the truth of the Holocaust until his final days, leaving behind a legacy of courage, remembrance, and reconciliation. He passed away at the age of 96, but his work and message live on.