By Elizabeth Farina
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The region was blanketed with a snowstorm the weekend a gentle soul left our world. Alex Lebenstein, Holocaust survivor, died on Jan. 28 at the age of 82. The Richmonder was a man of courage who faced the hell of hatred during his youth in World War II simply because he was Jewish.

Instead of embracing a poisoning hatred spawned by his experience – a hatred that had grown in his heart over time – he drew upon the unconditional love from German children in his hometown to help him heal from the horrific memories that haunted him. They had made multiple appeals for forgiveness for what their grandparents and parents had done to him, his family, and to all people of the Jewish faith during Adolf Hitler’s reign. He rejected it many times. And then, Alex accepted the apology.

Alex didn’t just quietly retire after accepting the olive branch. Instead, he became a historic voice who taught modern-day tolerance to many local students while sharing his vivid memories. He spoke candidly about the night his family fled for their lives as the townspeople, their neighbors, destroyed the only home he had known.

He spoke about the cattle cars that transported him to the concentration camp. He talked about his near-death experiences. He shared how he grew to hate his fellow countrymen who slaughtered his mother and countless others. Then, after decades of anger, heartbreak, and finally forgiveness, he openly shared his most real fear:  if the Holocaust is forgotten, then it will be repeated.

His experiences were co-penned with Midlothian resident Don Levin in the book “The Gazebo.” The book was named after a place where he had happy memories of his father playing cards and the place where he hid on the night his life forever changed, the night of Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass.

A documentary film about his life premiered in November 2009 at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, where Alex volunteered. However, it was the powerful personal presentations he repeated at many schools that opened the door for tolerance. All who were present understood, even if it was just for that afternoon, that we are all frail humans who need to tolerate one another’s differences.

It was an honor to have had breakfast with Alex and Don to talk about the book’s release in December 2008. Alex was not a morose man because he survived the Holocaust. In fact, he celebrated life. He celebrated his family and was proud of his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a terrific cook who loved to eat – and he made a mean soup for a cold day. His rich, deep voice echoed his thoughts as he recalled getting into trouble with his “mamma” as a child when he tried to hide candy. He heartily laughed at the best memories and would quietly and solemnly share the worst. Alex’s kindness and honesty will never be forgotten. 

To view Alex Lebenstein’s obituary, click here.