VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS: Sir Ben was our greatest inspiration and dearest friend
To staff at Jewish News who got to know Sir Ben Helfgott and his wife Arza over many years, it was his humanity, his smile and deep wisdom that made him our greatest hero.
Never was the prefix ‘Sir’ more appropriate than for Ben Helfgott. The Holocaust survivor, who after emerging emaciated from the camps went on to captain the British weightlifting team at two Olympics, was knighted in 2018. His indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to education and remembrance reshaped the world in the aftermath of the war, illuminating the path of understanding for future generations.
Sir Ben, who died aged 93 last Friday, held a staggering number of communal roles over the decades.
He was president of the Yad Vashem UK Foundation, president, treasurer and trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (at different times), joint treasurer of what is now World Jewish Relief and founder of the 45 Aid Society, helping to secure reparations for his fellow survivors.
He received many honours, including the Polish Knights Cross of the Order of Merit, the Prime Minister’s UK Ponts of Light Award, Freeman of the City of London and an MBE followed by his knighthood.
His sporting achievements were glorious. Sir Ben twice captained the British Olympic weightlifting team, won a bronze medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games and competed four times at the weightlifting World Championships in the 1950s.
Yet despite all these garlands and accolades, to staff at Jewish News, who got to know Sir Ben personally over many years, it was his humanity, his smile, his vision that made him our greatest hero.
Sir Ben was one of those rare figures – alongside the likes of Elie Wisel, Shimon Peres and Sir Nicholas Winton – whose every word seemed special. Wisdom and greatness emanated from his every pore. We enjoyed every moment spent with him and his inspirational wife, Arza.
As his power of speech failed him in recent years and hate increased in the world, his words felt even more special. He would never give up an opportunity to speak about remembrance and education for the future.
Sir Ben said many times that he felt confident the baton of remembrance was being passed successfully to the next generation. The best way we can honour his dear memory is to continue where he left off.
Thank you, dearest Ben, and long life to Arza and the family.
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