93-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Shares Story of Hope

When most people think about Holocaust stories, they imagine unspeakable tragedy. But Jerry Guttman's story is different, and the 93-year-old Squirrel Hill resident wants you to hear it.

On February 23, Guttman will share his story publicly for the first time at Chatham University's Eddy Theater in Pittsburgh. Born in Dresden, Germany in 1932, he survived because his parents saw danger coming before others did.

"About a year before Hitler came to power, my parents had the presence of getting the hell out," Guttman explained. His family fled to Italy, where Jews thrived and lived as equals until everything changed in 1938.

When Italy passed racial laws, his parents acted fast again. With few countries accepting Jewish refugees, they chose between Shanghai, China and Tangier, Morocco. Tangier won.

In Tangier, Guttman's father traded his furrier business for running a café called Tingis, which still exists today. Young Jerry grew up speaking German at home, French at school, Spanish in the streets, and later Italian and English.

His English practice was creative. He'd bike to the Milan airport and help tourists with directions, which led to an American couple hiring him as their tour guide for two weeks.

Nine months after that trip ended, the American Consulate called with a visa. At 21, with his parents' blessing, Guttman boarded a ship to New York City in 1953.

He was drafted a year later, served two years, became a citizen, and used the GI Bill to attend the University of Pennsylvania. After decades in Philadelphia and California, he returned to Pennsylvania in 2021 to be near family.

Why This Inspires

At 93, Guttman still works out twice a week at the Jewish Community Center. His message for younger generations is simple: don't take opportunities for granted, be willing to take risks, and stay open to change.

"You don't have to necessarily stay where you are just because you're there," he said. "There are opportunities. You have to take risks, and usually they work out."

Holocaust Center Director Emily Loeb wants people to meet this remarkable man who turned forced relocations into an international adventure. "One thing that I'm struck by is how positive Jerry is and inquisitive and willing to learn new things," she said.

His story also sheds light on Morocco's role as a Holocaust refuge, a chapter many people don't know. Registration for the February 23 event is available at hcofpgh.org.

Sometimes the most powerful stories aren't just about survival, but about thriving despite everything.