Humans of Judaism

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Houdini (né Erik Weisz) was born to a Jewish family in Budapest in 1874. His father, Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weisz, moved the family to the United States when Houdini was four years old. They lived in Appleton, Wisconsin, where Rabbi Weisz led the Zion Reform Jewish Congregation. 🧵

Did you know that Harry Houdini, the great escape artist and world-famous magician, was Jewish? 🧵

On October 7, Shir Siegel was engaged to be married when her parents, Aviva and Keith, were abducted by Hamas terrorists and taken hostage in Gaza. Aviva was held captive for 51 days, and Keith for 484 days. 🧵

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Schindler is responsible for saving the lives of approximately 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. In 1993, he was formally recognized as Righteous Among the Nations, and more than 8,000 descendants are alive today as a result of his efforts. Photo: @yadvashem

Oskar Schindler passed away on October 9, 1974, and is buried in Israel. Pictured here are Holocaust survivors he saved, standing alongside individuals from the movie Schindler’s List at his grave in Jerusalem. 🧵

Ariel and Kfir Bibas were the youngest hostages taken to Gaza on October 7 and were murdered in cold blood by Hamas. 🧡💔 There are no words.

“This is my father, Marc Mordechai Peretz z”l. He was murdered trying to save me from the massacre at the Nova festival. When the rockets started, he got in the car and drove toward me alone. 🧵

On the left are shoes of Holocaust victims from Auschwitz. On the right are shoes of October 7 victims from the Nova Music Festival. Each shoe belonged to someone, a child, parent, spouse, friend, loved one, and represents a life wiped out by senseless hate. Never Again is Now.

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Born in Baghdad, he survived the Farhud, and moved to Israel at just 13 years old, helping to establish the kibbutz where he lived for 70 years. Sadly, in February 2025, his family was informed of the devastating news that he had been murdered by Hamas.

At 86 years old, Shlomo Mansour was the oldest hostage taken to Gaza. On October 7, the grandfather of 15 was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Kissufim. 🧵

This is a photo of the Kutz family before October 7. They were found huddled together in their home’s bomb shelter. None of them survived. We will never forget.

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Eli was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, and only upon his return to Israel on February 8, 2025 did he learn that his wife, Lianne, and daughters, Noiya (16) and Yahel (13), were murdered on October 7.

These are photos of Eli Sharabi, one from before he was taken hostage in Gaza and the other from the day he was freed, after 491 days in captivity.🧵

This is an appreciation post for Captain Smit Machchhar, the hero pilot who was stabbed while helping protect the 174 passengers aboard today’s Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight. Thank you, Captain Machchhar! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

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After the war, she became a clinical psychologist and dedicated her life to helping others understand trauma and healing. At 90, she published The Choice, her bestselling memoir about surviving Auschwitz and finding freedom afterward. She died in April of this year at 98. 🧵

Holocaust survivor, psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Edith Eger was born 99 years ago today. Edith was 16 when she and her parents and sister were taken to Auschwitz. On the day they arrived, her parents were sent to the gas chambers. Edith and her sister survived. 🧵

This is the last image of Kfir Bibas, photographed during Sukkot in 2023, before he was abducted to Gaza. Kfir was just 8 months old, the youngest hostage taken on October 7. He was murdered by Hamas terrorists while held captive. May his memory be a blessing.

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You may even remember Julia from “Kneidler,” a short film in which she shares her matzo ball recipe with her granddaughter Frankie while recounting her experiences during the Holocaust. As Julia forms the matzo balls, you can see the number 46645 still tattooed on her arm. 🧵

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Her mother was arrested in July 1942 during the Vel d’Hiv roundup and was never seen again. Julia hid with her father until they were arrested in 1943 after being betrayed by a neighbor. They were sent to the Drancy Internment Camp and then deported to Auschwitz that June. 🧵

Holocaust survivor Julia Wallach (née Kac) passed away this week at the age of 101. Julia was born in Paris, France, on June 14, 1925. Fifteen years later, on that very same day, Nazi troops entered the city. 🧵