Holocaust Survivor to Share Escape Story at Elon U

A Holocaust survivor who escaped the Nazis by crossing four countries will share his remarkable journey with students next month.

Alexander "Lex" Silbiger, now a Duke University Professor Emeritus, will speak at Elon University's Holocaust Remembrance Day event on Thursday, February 12, at 4:30 p.m. in Turner Theater. His story of survival began when his family fled the German invasion of the Netherlands during World War II.

The Silbiger family's escape route took them through Belgium, France, and Spain before they reached safety at a refugee camp in Jamaica. They eventually settled in the United States in the 1950s, where Lex built a distinguished academic career.

This presentation continues a powerful tradition at Elon University. For more than nine years, the school has welcomed Holocaust survivors to campus annually, ensuring their firsthand accounts reach new generations.

The speakers series results from collaboration between Professor Max Negin's Holocaust Journey course, Jewish Life, the Jewish Studies department, and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Dedicated funding has made it possible to bring these vital voices to campus year after year.

Why This Inspires

These aren't just history lessons. They're living testimonies that connect students directly with people who lived through one of humanity's darkest chapters and chose survival, resilience, and education over bitterness.

As Holocaust survivors grow fewer each year, events like this become increasingly precious. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions directly after Silbiger's talk, creating a rare chance for dialogue across generations.

The event welcomes the entire Elon community, with class reservations available for professors who want their students to hear this important story firsthand.

History stays alive through the voices of those who lived it.