CNN
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A 102-year-old Holocaust survivor whose household was murdered at Auschwitz is the duvet star for the July/August version of Vogue Germany.
Margot Friedländer, née Bendheim, was born in Berlin in 1921. In accordance with a short bio on the web site of Berlin’s Jewish Museum, Friedländer spent the early a part of the warfare together with her mom and youthful brother Ralph after her mother and father separated. That they had plans to flee the nation however in 1943 her brother was arrested by the Gestapo.
Their mom confronted the Gestapo, which led to her being deported to Auschwitz together with her son, the place they have been each murdered.
However earlier than leaving, she left behind a message for her daughter that learn: “Attempt to make your life.”
Friedländer, then simply 21 years previous, went into hiding however was finally betrayed by “catchers” and was despatched to Theresienstadt camp within the then-Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia in 1944, based on the museum.
In her interview with Vogue Germany, Friedländer mentioned: “I’m grateful. Grateful that I made it. For having the ability to fulfill my mom’s want. That I’ve made my life.”
Vogue Germany mentioned they’d met with Friedländer 4 instances this 12 months and that the duvet footage have been shot in April on the Botanical Backyard in Berlin.
Kerstin Weng, head of editorial content material on the journal, mentioned that the theme of the difficulty was love, that includes their “favourite items, favourite individuals.” The entrance of the collector’s concern consists of the phrase “love” written by Friedländer, in addition to her signature.
The multi-page piece, which incorporates quite a few photographs of Friedländer, covers a variety of matters, from rising up in Nazi Germany to her dedication as a Holocaust survivor at the moment.
Weng mentioned: “Probably the most optimistic individual I do know is on this concern’s cowl: Margot Friedländer. To many she is called a Holocaust survivor. However she not solely survived the Nazis, she additionally overcame betrayal and loss. She would have all purpose to be bitter, however stays open-minded and refuses to take sides. She stands up towards forgetting and for humanity and togetherness.
“At 102, she seeks to interact with the youthful era and proves that dialogue continues to be doable.”
Friedländer met her future husband, Adolf, whereas within the Nazi focus camp, and married him quickly after liberation.
The pair emigrated to the US in 1946 and lived in New York for greater than six a long time. However in 2010, following her husband’s dying aged 88, Friedländer moved again to Berlin.
Ever since, she has been campaigning as a Holocaust educator. Her tireless efforts have earnt her quite a few awards, together with the Federal Cross of Advantage First Class.
Friedländer instructed Vogue Germany that she was “appalled” by the expansion of right-wing populism and the rise of antisemitic assaults.
When addressing the difficulty of society changing into extra polarized, she mentioned: “Look not towards what separates us. Look in the direction of what carry us collectively. Be Individuals. Be smart.”
Grateful for the chance to cross on her message, she mentioned: “You’ll carry my story onward. That this by no means involves occur once more.”
Though greater than 100 years previous, Friedländer will not be Vogue’s oldest cowl mannequin.
Final 12 months, Vogue Philippines selected a 106-year-old tattoo artist referred to as Apo Whang-Od – also called Maria Oggay – to function on the entrance of its April concern.