The happiest man on earth: 99 year old Holocaust survivor shares his story | Eddie Jaku | TEDxSydney
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Published 2019-07-18
Eddie Jaku OAM, born Abraham Jakubowicz in Germany in 1920.
His family considered themselves German, first, Jewish second. On 9 November 1938, the night immortalised as Kristallnacht, Eddie returned home from boarding school to an empty house. At dawn Nazi soldiers burst in, Eddie was beaten and taken to Buchenwald.
Eddie was released and with his father escaped to Belgium and then France, but was again captured and sent to a camp, and thereafter to Auschwitz. On route, Eddie managed to escape back to Belgium where he lived in hiding with his parents and sister.
In October 1943, Eddie’s family were arrested and again sent to Auschwitz where his parents were both murdered. In 1945, Eddie was sent on a ‘death march’ but once again escaped and hid in a forest eating slugs and snails until June 1945 he was finally rescued by.
Eddie has volunteered at the Sydney Jewish Museum since it’s inception in 1992. Self-proclaimed as ‘the happiest man on earth’, he saw death every day throughout WWII, and because he managed to survive, made a vow to himself to smile every day.
Edie has been married to Flore for 73 years, they have two sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
All Comments (21)
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After more than 80 years, he still remembers his beloved Dog who tried to protect him..... Beautiful man
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"I do not hate anyone. Hate is a disease which may destroy your enemy, but will also destroy you in the process." Wiser words have never been spoken.
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This is probably the healthiest looking and sharpest 99 year old I've ever seen.
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RIP Eddie. 101 is a good age to get to, but we'll still miss the wisdom and joy. And thankyou for teaching us.
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"Please don't walk in front of me, I may not be able to follow; please don't walk behind me, I may not be able to lead; just walk beside me and be my friend."
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I was there to witness this speech live in the flesh and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Had the privilege to meet Eddie later that day also. The most inspiring and humble person I have ever met.
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My grandmother was one of 3 survivors out of all the dozens of members of her family that didn't survive the extirpation. She escaped with her older sister at the age of 6, smuggled in mail bags on a truck and ended up in a camp in Russia that was still in horrible conditions. She eventually was freed and came to America at 16, only speaking German, learned 5 languages including English and became the Valedictorian of her school.
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99 years old, has lived to one of the world most heinous tragedies in the world and still radiates life and gratitude. I’m speechless. Bless this beautiful soul
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He doesn’t hate anyone...after all that was done to him and his family. So many people today could learn from him.
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My Uncle spent 6 yrs in a Soviet prison camp. There he was beaten and almost starved to death. He had to eat rats and saw dust to survive. In between the the beating and hard labor they tried to instill the virtues of Socialism in him. When he got out he changed. He was now more fun loving and happy than he had been before. I asked him how he could be so happy after what had been done to him. He told me: The Communists took 6 yrs of my life making me miserable and I'm not going to give them another minute being unhappy
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Rest in peace, Eddie. I remember seeing him at the sydney jewish musuem on a school excursion. His story moved our entire class to tears and I’ll never forget his message of love and peace.
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RIP Eddie. The world has lost a great man today.
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If only our politicians had such honesty, intelligence and compassion.
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I have known this beautiful man for over twenty years. He is my friend, mentor and hero and I am honoured to know and love him
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This video should have millions of likes and vues... I just finished the book..I was curious to see the man.. Sad he died one year ago..desappointed..as I would never have the chance to thanks him for his kindness..but at least I'm still alive to spread his mindset and wisdom..all of us..thank your dear Eddie, thank you dear friend 🙏
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Bless you Eddie ... you make me cry but fill my heart with joy
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My Grandmother’s brother, John, survived the Japanese camps on the Thai Burma railway, and he had the same attitude as Eddie. When he told me about his experiences in the camps and how he had forgiven his captors, I was stunned. How can you forgive that sort of brutality and mindless violence? He said if he had held on to the hate, it would have consumed him. Eddie reminds me of John, and the world needs to listen to these people, not the ones who have a large media presence and no empathy!
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His auto-biography is The Happiest Man on Earth. I truly encourage you to read it. He conveys his trials and tribulation's so touchingly and his mentality is uplifting
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I just finished reading his book today. RIP Eddie😢❤
