Paul Sobol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Sobol
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Sobol, pictured at the 2019 Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorations at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Casteau, Belgium
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| Born | 26 June 1926 |
| Died | 17 November 2020 (aged 94) |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Occupation | Advertiser, Holocaust educator |
Paul Sobol (born June 26, 1926 – died November 17, 2020) was a man from Belgium who survived the the Holocaust. He worked hard to teach people about the Holocaust in Belgium. Many knew him as one of the country's best "passeurs de mémoire" (memory keepers). He often spoke at schools to share his story.
Paul was born into a family of Polish-Jewish background. During World War II, his family hid for several years in Belgium. Sadly, they were reported to the authorities. On July 31, 1944, they were sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. This was the last group of people sent from Belgium. Paul later had to join the death marches to Gross-Rosen concentration camp. He managed to escape on April 25, 1945, while being moved to another camp. His parents and younger brother did not survive.
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Paul Sobol's Life Story
Paul Sobol was born in Paris, France, in 1926. His family came from Poland and moved to Brussels, Belgium, in 1928. They were living in Belgium when World War II started.
Hiding from Danger
During the German occupation, the family tried to avoid the rules against Jewish people. In 1942, Jewish people were forced to wear a yellow star-of-David badge. Paul's family went into hiding to stay safe. Paul used a fake name, Robert Sax, to hide his true identity.
Arrest and Survival
The family stayed hidden for more than four years. But on June 13, 1944, someone reported them to the German authorities. They were arrested and taken to Mechelen transit camp. On July 31, 1944, Paul and his whole family were sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. This was the very last group of people sent from Belgium.
At Auschwitz, Paul was made to work as a carpenter. When the Soviet army got close, the camp was emptied. Paul was forced to join a death march to Gross-Rosen concentration camp. From there, he was put on a train with other prisoners, heading to Dachau concentration camp.
Escape and Freedom
On April 25, 1945, the train Paul was on was attacked by Allied planes. Paul used this chance to escape. He found a safe place in a village with some French prisoners. On May 1, 1945, American soldiers freed him. He returned to Belgium and was reunited with his sister. Sadly, his younger brother and parents, who were sent to the camps with him, did not survive the Holocaust.
Life After the War
Paul Sobol got married in 1947 and had two children. He worked in advertising and started his own company in 1954. For many years, he did not talk about his experiences during the war.
However, starting in 1987, he began to share his story. He became very active in Holocaust education in Belgium. He often spoke in schools, teaching young people about what happened. By the time he died, he was known as one of the most important "memory keepers" in the country. He was also on the board of the Auschwitz Foundation. In 2010, he wrote a book about his experiences called Je me souviens d'Auschwitz (I Remember Auschwitz).
Paul Sobol passed away on November 17, 2020.
See also
- Henri Kichka (1926–2020), another Holocaust survivor who taught about the Holocaust in Belgium
In Spanish: Paul Sobol para niños
