Survivor and Champion

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Survivor and Champion: Ben Helfgott's Story

Ben Helfgott, born in Lodz, Poland, 1929, is a Holocaust survivor and former champion weightlifter representing Great Britain in the Olympics. This is his personal story of survival and triumph. (Many viewers may find details described to be extremely disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.)

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Sports, Poland, Holocaust Survivors, Holocaust

Ben Helfgott, born in Lodz, Poland, 1929, is a Holocaust survivor of Buchenwald and Theresienstadt and former champion weightlifter. He won the UK's 11-stone championship in 1954, and was lightweight champion in 1955, 1956, and 1958. He represented Great Britain at weightlifting in the 1956 Summer Olympics at Melbourne, Australia and was the captain of the British weightlifting teams at the Olympics in 1956 (Melbourne) and 1960 (Rome).

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Madelyn Johannes May 27, 2017

Another Helfgott from Poland My grandmother was Pauline Helfgott. She was born in 1879. She was born or at least lived in Tarnow, Poland. She married Samuel Johannes and they had 3 sons, one of whom was my father. Samuel came to the U.S. in 1920 and Pauline followed with the boys a few years later.They all escaped the Holocaust, as they left Europe earlier. Is there any possibility there is a connection with Mr. Helfgott? I don't know how common is this name. Thank you. Reply

Kayo Kaneko Tokyo January 14, 2014

I watched your shiur on the day that Auschwitz was liberated. Thank you for such a brave act for us. I believe that it must be so painful to remember, write, and speak about Shoar. With your experience, situation and position, it is natural to obsessed with what had happened to you. Yet, you teach me that you won't obsessed with revenge, and hatred is not good. I myself very often obsessed with revenge. I hope someday I can behave according to your great wisdom. Again, todah rabah. Reply

Lisa jones Asheboro/usa:north carolina, North Carolina July 15, 2012

Survior Thank you so much for sharing, the story must continue to be told or it will be forgotten. Reply

Ben Helfgott's Story