The Survivor – Holocaust Survivor Turned Nazi Hunter

Feb 20, 2025 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Two Sues on the Aisle, Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston

The Survivor is the memoir of Josef Lewkowicz, who in his 90s was persuaded to recount the atrocities he faced, having survived six concentration camps. Lewkowicz remembers it all, the ritual hangings, casual shootings, and the unspeakable cruelty. He was starved, beaten, and tortured in six camps. The amazing part is that Lewkowicz managed to stay alive, keep his faith, and bring his tormentors to justice, including the capture of one of his tormentors, the murderous SS kommandant Amon Goeth.

The Survivor commemorates the millions who were murdered, including Lewkowicz’s entire family. Lewkowicz says, “The Holocaust was so well documented all over the world, and there are deniers running around and denying it. We have to fight that evil. We have to do everything possible.” This is a remarkable true story about resilience, a testament to the will to survive. Lewkowicz maintained the unshakable ability to cherish life and fight evil with goodness, his story empowers us to prioritize justice and kindness.

Unbelievable

No one expected the Nazis to arrive with such speed. But when they entered Kraków in 1939, Lewkowicz and his family were rounded up, and sent to concentration camps, from which only Josef would survive. At only sixteen years old, Josef Lewkowicz became a number, prisoner 85314. Throughout everything, Joseph remained true to his values “Being fine, kind and nice will never make you lose.” Each element of his life, contributed and helped him to succeed, working in the family store, and dealing with customers, prepared him to understand humankind. He understood the Nazi’s dehumanization tactics and reminded himself ‘I must not become an animal like them’ finding the strength to feed his fellow starving prisoners. After liberation, Joseph became a force for truth and justice- identifying and bringing the Nazis to trial, most notably SS kommandant Amon Goeth, whose brutality was legendary.

The Survivor is the remarkable story of one man, Josef Lewkowicz—a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor who became a Nazi hunter. As part of his post-war efforts, he helped rescue hundreds of hidden orphaned children, many of whom began new lives in Israel.

Joseph passed away in December 2024 at 98, a year earlier he said: “I am ninety-seven and ready to meet my God whenever He calls me. . . I have seen terrible things: ritual hangings, casual shootings, unspeakable cruelty. . . I endured hunger, beatings, and torture in six camps and managed to prevail so I could bring a monster to justice.” Lewkowicz’s life was unbelievable, he operated as a diamond dealer in South America, and raised a family in Montreal, before immigrating to Israel.

Josef Lewkowicz

An Inspiration

Lewkosicz maintained his humanity, and faith, showing extraordinary courage in the face of evil. His memory and the details he recounts are crisp, even after so many years. He vividly recalls forced marches, executions, and being placed in life-threatening circumstances daily. After liberation he resolved to avenge the loss of his extended family, joining the Jewish police while in a displaced persons’ camp. He was recruited as an intelligence officer for the US Army who gave him a team to search for Nazis in hiding.

Most impressive was Lewkosicz’s humility and humanity. He tried to avoid boasting and the sin of pride. He saw himself as simply doing what he needed to do. After enduring and witnessing the unspeakable, he was able to retain his hope and faith and work to create a better future. In 2022 he addressed the Holocaust Remembrance Day remarks he said ‘he hoped the world had learned from a terrible lesson .. that the Holocaust could not be allowed to happen again.’ This was before October 7th but he saw the signs, the rising anti-scientism, growing Holocaust denial, and neo-nazi organizations growing bolder. He challenged his audience that it was their responsibility to use their influence wisely. They had a duty to never forgive or forget.

Lewkosicz was a wise man, his legacy was to fight with all your might and do good whenever you can. Charity is a medicine. Kindness heals. If your enemy is hungry, give him a piece of bread. If he is thirsty, give him a drink of water. If you help your enemy, they will become your friend.

Chazak v’ematz: Be strong and courageous.