Elie Wiesel

Born:

September 30, 1928, Sighet, Maramureș, Romania

Died:

July 2, 2016, New York City, New York, United States

Nationality:

American (naturalized)

Profession(s):

Writer, Professor, Political Activist, Nobel Laureate, Holocaust Survivor

Early Life and Education

• Born in Sighet, Transylvania (now Romania), to a Jewish family.
• Received a traditional Jewish education, studying the Talmud and Kabbalah.
• In 1944, at age 15, he and his family were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
• Survived Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps.
• After liberation, he lived in France, studying at the Sorbonne.

Career and Major Achievements

• Began his career as a journalist.
• Encouraged by François Mauriac, he wrote La Nuit (Night), a memoir of his Holocaust experiences.
• Night was translated into English and became a seminal work on the Holocaust.
• Became a prominent voice against indifference to human suffering.
• Established the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity.
• Served as Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 for being a "messenger to mankind: his message is one of peace, atonement, and dignity."

Notable Works

• Night (1960)
• Dawn (1961)
• Day (1962)
• The Town Beyond the Wall (1964)
• The Accident (1961)
• The Oath (1973)
• Souls on Fire: Portraits and Legends of Hasidic Masters (1972)
• Many other novels, essays, plays, and memoirs.

Awards and Recognition

Legacy and Impact

Elie Wiesel's literary works and activism significantly shaped Holocaust memory and awareness. His powerful voice championed human rights and challenged indifference. Many resources, including the material related to the 'elie wiesel biography video for kids', aim to educate future generations about his life and work, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and social justice.

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