Vera Schaufeld, a Holocaust survivor whose life became a beacon of remembrance and education, has died at the age of 95, according to multiple reports published on November 18, 2025. Tributes have poured in from organizations and individuals touched by her story, with the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) describing her as an "extraordinary ambassador" who "inspired countless people" through her unwavering commitment to sharing the lessons of the Holocaust.
Born in Prague in 1930, Vera’s early childhood was marked by the growing threat of Nazi aggression. In 1939, at just nine years old, she was told she must leave her home and family behind to escape the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia. She became one of 669 children rescued by Sir Nicholas Winton’s Kindertransport, a rescue effort that ferried Jewish children to safety in England following the horrors of Kristallnacht—a night of violence in November 1938 that saw hundreds of synagogues and Jewish properties destroyed across the German Reich (as reported by BBC and NationalWorld).
Vera’s recollection of her final moments with her parents is both heart-wrenching and emblematic of the trauma endured by so many children during the Holocaust. "My last sight of my parents was as they stood behind the barrier, waving their handkerchiefs, while I looked at them out of the train window," she once recalled, as quoted by the Daily Mail. She would never see them again. Her parents, unable to leave Czechoslovakia, were later sent to a concentration camp and murdered there—a fate that befell many families separated by the Kindertransport.
Upon arriving in England, Vera was taken in by Leonard and Nancy Faires, a Christian couple whose compassion and care helped her adjust to her new life. She remembered the kindness of their daughter, Betty, who was three years her senior. This act of welcome and generosity would shape Vera’s outlook and perhaps plant the seeds for her later dedication to teaching tolerance and understanding.
After the war, Vera trained as a teacher—a profession that would become her lifelong calling. Her journey took her to Israel, where she worked on a kibbutz and met her future husband, Avram. They married in 1952 before returning to England, where Vera resumed her teaching career. But her work extended far beyond the classroom. She became a passionate ambassador for Holocaust remembrance, determined to ensure that the lessons of her own harrowing experience would not be forgotten.
Her testimony reached thousands. She shared her story with students in schools and colleges across the UK, and her voice became a vital part of the AJR’s Refugee Voices archive. Michael Newman, chief executive of the AJR, praised her dedication: "Despite being only nine years old, Vera's strength and courage shone through, as she bravely waved farewell to her parents, never to see them again." He added, "Within the association, Vera’s dedication was unfaltering; she generously shared her testimony in our Refugee Voices archive, giving voice to her experiences as a Winton child and participated in many engagements, lectures, and educational events. Through her eloquence and heartfelt storytelling, she brought the human dimension of the Kindertransport to life."
Vera’s impact was recognized at the highest levels. In 2019, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) at Buckingham Palace for her services to Holocaust remembrance and education. Later that same year, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Roehampton, accolades that the AJR said "reflect just how much her work mattered."
The AJR’s tribute was echoed by the Holocaust Educational Trust. Karen Pollock CBE, the Trust’s chief executive, described Vera as "an extraordinary woman whose gentle and kind nature touched everyone who had the privilege of meeting her." She continued, "Vera turned her experience of profound loss into a lifelong commitment to education, understanding and hope. She spoke with honesty and warmth to countless young people, encouraging them to confront intolerance, racism and antisemitism. Through her testimony in schools and colleges across the country, Vera shaped how generations of students understand the Holocaust and its lessons for today." The Trust expressed its deep sadness at her passing, promising to honor her by continuing her mission and ensuring her story endures for future generations.
Vera’s personal connection to Sir Nicholas Winton, the organizer of the Kindertransport, remained strong throughout her life. Winton, a British stockbroker, arranged for eight trains to carry children from Nazi-occupied territories to safety. Vera was among those who later surprised Winton on the BBC show That’s Life in 1988, a moment that brought his story to wider public attention. She developed a lifelong friendship with Winton and his wife Grete. Winton’s efforts saved hundreds, but a planned ninth train carrying 250 children was halted by the outbreak of war on September 1, 1939. Tragically, all but two of those children perished in the Holocaust. Winton, who died in 2015 at the age of 106, was haunted by the memory of those he could not save.
Vera’s legacy, however, is one of resilience, compassion, and the power of education. Her life stands as a testament not only to survival but to the determination to build bridges of understanding in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. As Michael Newman of the AJR so eloquently put it: "Thank you, Vera, for your unwavering commitment, your strength, and your generosity. Your voice, your memory, and your spirit will continue to inspire all of us in the AJR—and beyond—for generations to come."
The impact of Vera Schaufeld’s work is evident in the tributes of those who knew her and in the countless students who learned from her example. Her story, and the lessons she shared, serve as a vital reminder of the importance of remembrance and the ongoing fight against intolerance and hatred. Vera Schaufeld’s memory will undoubtedly endure, not only in the records of history but in the hearts and minds of those she inspired.
