Heinz Galinski (28 November 1912 – 19 July 1992) was president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany (Zentralrat der Juden in Deutschland) from 1954 to 1963 and 1988 until his death in 1992, and The Holocaust survivor.
Early life
Galinski was born in
Malbork in what was then
West Prussia. His father was a businessman World War I veteran. After completing his
Abitur, Galinski started an apprenticeship as a textile salesman, starting work in
Rathenow in 1933. In 1938, he moved to
Prenzlauer Berg,
Berlin, however, he was conscripted into forced labor in 1940. In 1943, he was deported to
Auschwitz. After also spending time in the concentration camps Buchenwald and Bergen-Belsen he was liberated by
British army on 20 April 1945. Unlike many other
Holocaust survivors, Galinski remained in
Germany after the end of World War II.
Career
Immediately after the end of the war, Galinski took up prominent roles in several antifascist organizations, including the Union of Persecutees of the Nazi Regime. From 1949 to 1992, he was chairman of the
congregation of
Berlin. In 1987, Galinski became an honorary citizen of the city. From 1954 to 1963, he was the first president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. In 1988, he then succeeded
Werner Nachmann as the head of the Central Council of Jews, the most important Jewish organization in Germany; he kept this position until his death in 1992 in Berlin.
Awards
Beginning in 1989, the Heinz-Galinski-Preis was awarded in his name. In 1995, the Heinz-Galinski Schule, a Jewish Elementary school in
Berlin opened in his name.
[ Website of the Heinz-Galinski Schule]
In September and November 1998, Galinski's grave was the victim of two bombings, which both completely destroyed his grave stone. The motivation behind these attacks was probably anti-Semitism, but the crimes have not been solved.[ Kleffner, Heike. " Die Marmorplatte zerriss wie Papier" in Die tageszeitung 19 July 2002. Retrieved 9 April 2006.]
Galinski's daughter Evelyn Hecht-Galinski is an outspoken critic of politics.
See also
-
Galinski
-
Union of Persecutees of the Nazi Regime
Notes and references
Further reading
