David Faber (1928–2015): Polish-born Holocaust survivor, author and educator

Early life and survival

Born in Poland, Faber lived through the Nazi occupation as a young teenager. As a Jewish boy he endured deportation to and forced labor in multiple camps in occupied Poland and Nazi Germany, surviving nine separate concentration and labor camps before the end of World War II. His experience of loss, separation from family, and prolonged captivity formed the basis of his later writing and teaching. See his recollections on his Jewish identity in many interviews and accounts about his life: Jewish background.

Postwar life, writing and education work

After liberation he rebuilt his life, eventually settling in the United States. Faber became an author and frequent lecturer, using his memoir-style accounts to communicate the realities of persecution, survival and moral memory. He recorded his experiences in books and gave hundreds of talks to students, educators and civic groups. His role as an award-winning educator emphasized testimony, primary-memory preservation and the importance of teaching younger generations about the Holocaust.

Notable themes and works

• Personal testimony: Faber emphasized the individual human cost of genocide and the daily realities of camp life.
• Education: He advocated for classroom instruction informed by survivors' accounts and for active remembrance.
• Published memoirs: Faber’s books and written recollections provided a narrative that combined personal history with broader historical context.

Legacy and recognition

For decades Faber lectured widely and received recognition for his educational work. Survivors who speak publicly often serve as primary sources for Holocaust history, and Faber’s talks contributed to curricula, museum programs and community remembrance events. His testimony remains part of the body of survivor accounts used by historians, educators and institutions to convey the lived experience of the Holocaust. Accounts of the camps and their geography are preserved alongside his testimony: camp histories and context.

Death and remembrance

David Faber died on July 28, 2015 in San Diego, California, at age 86. Following his passing, colleagues, students and community organizations recalled his commitment to education and the personal courage of his testimony. Information about memorials and local remembrances can be found through community listings and institutional records: San Diego notices.