A Tribute to Vera Schaufeld MBE

Image: Vera Schaufeld MBE and El Sadiq ‘Debay’ Mahmoud Manees, a survivor of the genocide in Darfur, at the UK national ceremony for HMD 2024.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Vera Schaufeld MBE, a wonderfully kind and gentle woman who contributed so much to Holocaust education after her active working life as a teacher.

Vera has left an indelible mark on me, as she has done on all those she met. I have wonderful memories of having tea in the garden of her care home, discussing the books we’d read in our respective book clubs, and dissecting the news of the day. Her intelligence, warmth and generosity will inspire all of us at the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust for years to come.

It has been an honour to know Vera, and she has always been a strong voice in support of our promotion of Holocaust commemoration and education. Born in Prague in 1930, Vera was evacuated to the UK on the Kindertransport when she was only nine years old. She shared her testimony across the UK, in schools and colleges, teaching future generations about the Holocaust. In 2024, she joined Laura Marks CBE, Former Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and other survivors of persecution to meet with the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP.  She also joined us in lighting a candle during the national ceremony to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, alongside El Sadiq ‘Debay’ Mahmoud Manees, a survivor of the genocide in Darfur. 

Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. We will continue to honour her legacy through our work.”