In Memoriam: Honouring the Life and Legacy of Saul Reichert

​Saul Reichert, pictured at age 17 at the Pegnitz Displaced Persons (DP) camp in Bavaria, Germany 1947. Photo courtesy Rochelle Reichert.

The Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and generous supporter, Mr. Saul Reichert.

Born in Pabianice, Poland, in 1930, Saul was just nine years old when the Second World War shattered his childhood. His family endured the horrors of the Pabianice and Łódź Ghettos before being deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where Saul was separated from his mother and sisters, whom he never saw again. He survived Auschwitz, forced labour camps, and the brutal death marches before being liberated by American forces on May 8, 1945. In January 1948, Saul arrived in Edmonton as the first Jewish Holocaust orphan to settle in the city, where he built a remarkable new life through extraordinary perseverance, determination, and hope.

With the support of the Edmonton Jewish community, Saul became a successful restaurateur and businessman while remaining deeply committed to Holocaust education and sharing his experiences with future generations. Throughout his life, he dedicated his time and energy to Holocaust education, believing that remembrance was essential to building a more just and compassionate future.

Among Saul's most enduring legacies at the Wirth Institute is the Toby and Saul Reichert Holocaust Lecture, an annual public lecture made possible through an endowed fund administered by the Institute. Originally established through the generosity of members of the Edmonton community and brought to its full vision through a transformative gift from Saul and his beloved wife, Toby, who passed away in 2021, the endowment has enabled the Wirth Institute to welcome internationally renowned Holocaust scholars to the University of Alberta each year since 2004. Through these lectures, generations of students, scholars, educators, and community members have engaged with the history of the Holocaust and its enduring relevance, ensuring that the Reicherts' commitment to remembrance, education, and the fight against antisemitism will continue for years to come.

Saul also felt strongly about seeing a Holocaust museum established in Edmonton. He would have been immensely proud to know that this vision is now becoming a reality through the planned museum in the new Jewish Federation building. It is a fitting testament to a life devoted to preserving memory and educating future generations.

Above all, Saul was devoted to his family. He took immense pride in his four daughters -- Rochelle, Jerell, Adell, and Bonny -- and in their many accomplishments, as well as in his grandchildren and extended family. The Edmonton Jewish community was fortunate to gather with him last November during the Kristallnacht commemoration, when his daughter Bonny introduced her award-winning memoir, How to Share an Egg, a moving reflection on Saul's Holocaust experiences and the enduring role of family, memory, and food in their lives. Those who knew Saul will also remember his sharp mind and his well-earned reputation as one of Edmonton's finest poker and bridge players.

Saul Reichert transformed unimaginable loss into a lifetime of generosity, community leadership, and education. His story stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and of the enduring importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust. Through the Wirth Institute's Toby and Saul Reichert Holocaust Lecture, his legacy will continue to educate, inspire, and remind future generations of the consequences of hatred and the enduring responsibility to uphold human dignity.

We extend our deepest condolences to Saul's daughters, grandchildren, and the entire Reichert family. May his memory be a blessing.