The Leo Baeck Institute London observes VE Day, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. This anniversary holds particular significance for the Institute, as it coincides with the liberation of our namesake, Rabbi Dr Leo Baeck, from the Theresienstadt ghetto in May 1945.
Rabbi Baeck remained in Germany throughout the years of persecution, stating it was his duty to be the last Jewish person to leave the country. He survived the conditions of Theresienstadt and emerged from internment with what colleagues described as astonishing physical and spiritual vitality. He later settled in London to join his family. Becoming a British citizen in 1950, he served as a central figure for German-Jewish refugees rebuilding their lives in the United Kingdom.
As we mark the conclusion of the war in Europe, we reflect on Baeck’s legacy of moral resilience and intellectual courage. His conviction that the heritage of German-speaking Jewry must be preserved led to the founding of this Institute in 1955. Today, we continue his work by documenting the experiences of this community, ensuring their history remains a permanent part of our collective memory.
Image: Otto Zucker (right) and Leo Baeck, wearing the yellow star badge in Theresienstadt, LBI, F 19449
