Albert Hersh’s story begins in the small village of Tibava, Slovakia, where he grew up surrounded by family, faith, and the simple rhythms of farm life. The youngest boy in a household of ten children, Albert—then called Avrum—knew a childhood filled with warmth, hard work, and cherished Jewish traditions. But that world was shattered during World War II, when he and his family were forced into ghettos, deported in cattle cars, and sent to Auschwitz.
At just 15 years old, Albert faced unimaginable loss. In a single moment of selection, his mother and sisters were taken from him forever. Branded with a number and forced into brutal labor camps, Albert endured starvation, cruelty, and the constant presence of death. Yet through it all, he held on to hope—and to his brother Teddy, whose companionship helped sustain them both through the darkest days, including a harrowing death march and imprisonment in Buchenwald.
Liberated in 1945, Albert returned to a home and community that no longer existed. Against all odds, he rebuilt his life—reuniting with surviving siblings, immigrating to the United States, and eventually creating a loving family of his own. A skilled craftsman, devoted husband, and father, Albert transformed loss into purpose.
For decades, he has shared his story with young people, urging them to stand against hatred and to choose kindness, courage, and compassion. Albert Hersh's story is not only a testimony of survival, but a powerful reminder that even in the face of profound darkness, the human spirit can endure—and that hope, faith, and love can guide the way forward.