Tomi Reichental facts for kids

Tomáš "Tomi" Reichental, born in 1935, is a brave Holocaust survivor. He was born in Czechoslovakia (which is now Slovakia) to a family of Jewish farmers. He lived on their farm until he was eight years old. Around that time, new laws began to limit the freedom and rights of Jewish people. Because of this, Tomi and his family had to go into hiding.

In 1944, Tomi, his mother, his brother, and his grandmother were captured. They were taken to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. They stayed there until the camp was freed by the British army in 1945. Sadly, more than 30 members of his family died during the Holocaust.

After the war, Tomi moved to Ireland in 1959. For about 50 years, he did not talk much about his terrible experiences.

Tomi Reichental: Sharing His Story

Tomi Reichental is well-known for sharing his experiences of the The Holocaust as a child. As of 2014, he was one of only three Holocaust survivors living in Ireland. He gives talks in schools, colleges, and at events all over the country.

Why Tomi Shares His Story

Tomi's main goal is to teach people about what happened during the Holocaust. He wants everyone to remember the people who died. He also wants to make sure such terrible events never happen again. He once said, "After all the horror, I am doing my best to keep the memory of those lost ones alive. We—you, me, your children, my children—must never forget."

Making a Film About His Experience

In 2007, three filmmakers, Gerry Gregg, Seamus Deasy, and Oliver Donohoe, asked Tomi to make a film about his time in Bergen-Belsen. Tomi agreed. Later that year, they traveled to Germany. They filmed Tomi talking about his experiences while standing where the concentration camp used to be.

The documentary was called Close to Evil. In the film, Tomi tried to meet a former SS guard named Hilde Michnia. She refused to meet him, but she did appear in the documentary. Tomi had hoped to see if Hilde felt sorry for what happened. He was open to the idea that she might be a "different person" now. However, she would not meet him and said she was not responsible for anything bad that happened during the Holocaust.

Tomi was disappointed by this. He explained:

"That I did not meet Hilde was not the big letdown, but rather the fact that Hilde is still stuck in the 1940s, this is what disappointed me.
As Jews we have a tradition of atonement, it is a rich and noble concept. I am not a rabbi, nor am I a very observant Jew. But I am a product of my background and, for me, I understand atonement as a person's effort to acquire a new heart and a new spirit.
Atonement, as I see it, is about repentance and reparation. Hilde had no interest in any of this. By her action of not meeting, in denying the murder of inmates in Bergen-Belsen, she has chosen to justify and distort her own role during the Third Reich."

Tomi's Book and Awards

In 2011, Tomi Reichental's book I Was a Boy in Belsen was published. In this book, Tomi tells his own story about being a child prisoner in the Bergen-Belsen camp.

Tomi has received many awards for his important work. These awards recognize his efforts to teach about tolerance and to help young people understand the importance of remembering the past and finding peace. His work has made him one of the most inspiring people in modern Ireland.

Honorary Doctorates

• In 2015, Trinity College Dublin gave him an honorary doctorate. This is a special award from a university.
• In March 2016, Dublin City University also gave him an honorary doctorate. They praised his recent work, saying:

In the past number of years Tomi Reichental has proven to be one of the most inspirational figures in modern Ireland. His effort to ensure that the important themes of remembrance, forgiveness, conflict resolution and reconciliation remain to the forefront of modern Irish thought is truly important. In an age where we see horrific pictures of refugees attempting to flee appalling regimes to find sanctuary in the West, Tomi Reichental is a vivid example of the positive impact refugees make to modern Irish society. Honouring Tomi Reichental with the highest honour that Dublin City University can bestow is a fitting tribute to Tomi and his work. It also expresses this University's commitment to multiculturalism and inclusion and showcases our solidarity with the plight of refugees today, who seek a better life, as Tomi and his family did over fifty years ago.

Other Recognitions

In 2019, the Bar Council of Ireland gave Tomi Reichental a Human Rights Award. This was to honor his work promoting tolerance, remembrance, and peace. As of 2025, he is one of the last two Holocaust survivors living in Ireland.

In 2023, Tomi Reichental was awarded the British Empire Medal. This award was given to him for his important work in Holocaust education, raising awareness, and helping people remember.