David Schaecter, a Holocaust survivor and prominent figure in education and activism for Holocaust awareness, died at age 96 in Miami. Schaecter, who endured the horrors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald during his youth, dedicated his life to sharing his experience and ensuring the memories of the six million Jews who perished are not forgotten. CBS News Miami reports that Schaecter was a driving force behind the establishment of the Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach.
Born in Czechoslovakia, Schaecter found himself at the mercy of Nazi tyranny at age 11 and lost his immediate and extended family in the genocide. After his liberation and subsequent relocation to the United States, Schaecter became an industrial engineer and actively engaged in the Jewish community. According to The Miami Herald, his testimony before Congress in April 2025 addressed the continuing issue of anti-Semitism, and he implored those listening to remember and support the remaining Holocaust survivors.
Aside from founding the Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial, Schaecter also served as president of the Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA. He traveled back to Auschwitz with teenagers for the March of the Living program, ensuring that the atrocities of the past are imparted to the next generation, as noted by CBS News Miami. His aim, he once stated, was to leave a legacy by reaching out and teaching children about the Holocaust.
In tribute to Schaecter’s unyielding spirit and commitment to justice, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart said stories like his must never be forgotten. Schaecter, a man who epitomized resilience, also fought for the right to hold international insurance companies accountable for policies Jewish families purchased prior to the Holocaust, a battle that could have led to significant restitution, as CBS News Miami detailed.
Services to honor Schaecter's life and legacy will be held on Sunday, Sept. 7, at Temple Judea in Coral Gables, with the gravesite service and shiva to follow, as announced by The Miami Herald. His story, centered on the enduring themes of remembrance and resistance against hate, marks a profound chapter in the tapestry of history - one his family, including his wife Sydney; daughter Lisa; son Neal and Neal's wife Amy; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren will continue to tell.
