Acquisition Benjamin B. Ferencz donated his collection to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Oct. 1994. He has been married to Gertrude since 1946. Recently, he donated 1 million U.S. dollars to the the U.S. You begin at the earliest level. It wasnt about vengeance. first trial of the Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. He found their top secret reports with dates and other details about the massacres. Addie Gertrude Parker Moses Obituary. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. She had cancer, but it didn't have her. 1991-2010 1; Personal Stories. According to Ferencz, Nuremberg taught me that creating a world of tolerance and compassion would be a long and arduous task. When you are a part of the other, youre less inclined to attack it. [10], He also published several books on this subject. I had their daily reports and knew exactly, which unit was in charge, how many Jews they killed and who the commanding officer was, he says. In the contrary it was a cry to avoid vengeance and to substitute it with the rule of law., Ben Ferencz says that ever since the Nuremberg trials he has spent his life trying to prevent war. Benjamin Ferencz received a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from the City College of New York in 1940, and a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1943. [12] While pursuing claims of Jewish forced laborers against the Flick concern (the subject of the Flick trial), Ferencz observed the "interesting phenomenon of history and psychology that very frequently the criminal comes to see himself as the victim". It was an experience indescribable because of its horror. As an enlisted man under General Patton, he fought in most of the major campaigns in Europe. They lived for many years in New Rochelle, New York, but now they are permanently in Florida. . By the 1970s, Ferencz was no longer looking just to prosecute those accused of committing atrocities; he was also focusing on prevention. Ben Ferenzc was born in 1920 in a village in the Carpathian Mountains in Eastern Europe. [5], An International Criminal Court was indeed established on July 1, 2002, when the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court came into force. She was born on 1919-11-10. But you wouldnt treat your family that way, I hope. Three, never give up., These days, he spends much of his time in Florida with his wife Gertrude; they have four children, all of whom have retired. Later, he became an advocate of international rule of law and for the establishment of an International Criminal Court. By, Judge blocks lobbying restrictions on state and local officials, China's Xi heralds 'unbreakable' friendship with Belarus, an ally of Russia, Nissan recalls over 800K SUVs because a key defect can cut off the engine, Florida Senator plans to 'cancel' the Democratic Party for past proslavery stance, Female WWII Pilot Is Finally Laid To Rest At Arlington National Cemetery, PHOTOS: Model London Set Afloat, Then Aflame, To Remember Great Fire, Long Buried By Bad Reputation, Philistines Get New Life With Archaeological Find, Adrienne Kennedy akennedy@wlrn.org (305)-995-2256, FRIENDS OF WLRN, INC. AS MEDIA MANAGER OF WLRN PUBLIC MEDIA. Now he is 96 years old and the only one of those prosecutors still alive. The Russians withdrawing is a sign of protest, saying: You cant push us around. Its a dangerous game theyre playing, and its unfortunate. The USs refusal to commit, Ferencz adds, would be laughable if it wasnt so tragic the most powerful nations of the world are not yet ready to surrender what they perceive as a sovereign right to use whatever means they perceive to be necessary in order to protect their own interests as they see them., The ICCs biggest problem, then, is that it lacks any meaningful enforcement powers. It was called the biggest murder trial in history. And now I want to make sure that I will leave the world as I came into it as a pauper., PublishedDecember 12, 2016 at 6:37 AM EST, WLRN 91.3 FM | Ferencz was honourably discharged from the army in December 1945, having earned five battle stars, and returned to New York, where he married his wife Gertrude on March 31, 1946. He was born into a Jewish. One shot at a time, or, as one of my lead defendants, who killed 90,000, instructed his troops: If the mother is holding an infant to her breast, dont shoot the mother, shoot the infant because the bullet will go through both of them, and youll save ammunition., The defendants, he explains, were picked on the basis of their rank and education. When he got older he found, as many of us do, the joys of whisky, in his case Scotch single malts. This has fuelled a nuclear reaction inside this man and its still what he does every day.. Main telephone: 202.488.0400 [28] He became a centenarian two months later. Unfortunately, the public isnt interested in things like distant courts in distant places, argued by lawyers who are quibbling about obscure phrases in complex law., On sovereignty and nationalism, Ferencz says the popularity of figures such as Trump, Marine Le Pen and Nigel Farage was never beyond the realms of possibility. Obituary Service Details Dorothy Mae (Noble) Ferencz, 85, of Lewistown passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Mt. When Ferencz was ten months old, his family emigrated to the United States, which, according to his own account, was to avoid the persecution of Hungarian Jews by Romania after Romania gained formal control of Transylvania and Eastern Hungary. This database might contain special categories of Personal Data and Personal Data relating to criminal convictions or offences, which according to article 9, section 2 under j GDPR and article 24 and 32 under f of the UAVG (Dutch personal data protection act) can be used for research purposes only on the condition that there are appropriate safeguards for the rights and freedoms of the data subject. We are made to know about the death of the above name on June 28, 2021. In her own way, she quietly but valiantly lived three and one-half years with cancer. We ask this court to affirm by international penal action, mans right to live in peace and dignity, regardless of his race or creed. The verdict was hailed as a great success for the prosecution. This was the first of the famous Nuremberg trials. The Nazis were so sure they would win the war they kept record of all their atrocities. He played a significant role in the 1998 adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the treaty that established the ICC, whose statute eventually incorporated the definition of the crime of aggression he had helped to formulate. Think of all the money we are wasting on preserving the outdated nuclear weapons, which nobody knows what to do with and which are obsolete., He remains optimistic about societys inevitable advancement, however. One of the massacres committed by the Einsatzgruppenwas the oneat Babi Yar on Sept. 29, 1941. Crime was the neighborhood's chief industry. The International Military Tribunal prosecution against German Field Marshal, Herman Goering and other leading Nazis was already in progress under the leadership the American Prosecutor, Robert M. Jackson on leave from the US Supreme Court. [20][21] Also that year he presented a closing statement in the trial of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo in Uganda. Possible connections via main address - Benj B Ferencz, Latitude, Longitude: 40.94829, -73.776794. I suppose I could have brandished my weapon or shot in the air, but I was not inclined to do so. Kempner, Robert M. W. (Robert Max Wasilii), 1899-1993. From here, Ferencz communicates with the world, writing articles, sharing his expertise on international law. Because Im 97 years old and Im aware of the alternatives.. [13], Experiences just after World War II left a defining impression on Ferencz. Its unimaginable. Was I sad? [14], Ferencz has repeatedly argued against this procedure and suggested that the U.S. join the ICC without reservations, as it was a long-established rule of law that "law must apply equally to everyone", also in an international context. Perhaps, Don reflects, the lack of recognition of those who stand for the rule of law reflects the political reality of our times.. Most people dont know that until about the age of 95 years old, my father stood on his head for about five minutes every single day.. He says he told himself: I do not want to forget what I came to Germany for.. He was an investigator of Nazi war crimes after World War II and the chief prosecutor for the United States Army at the Einsatzgruppen Trial, one of the 12 Subsequent Nuremberg Trials held by the U.S. authorities at Nuremberg, Germany. Ferencz, Dr. Albert Age 87, Captain U.S. Army Air Corp and Portage Park Dentist for 50 years. Well, there were only 22 seats in the dock. Ferencz was 27 years old and this was his first case. Beloved husband of Frances (nee Reiss) for 59 years, loving father of Robert (Marla) and Glenn (Barbara) Ferencz, devoted grandfather of Max (Dawn), Joseph, Sarah and Ira, son of the late Morris and Fannie Ferencz, cherished brother of Pearl (the late Ben) Swislow and the late . Speaking to Al Jazeera ahead of his birthday, he expanded on this idea, saying: We must stop glorifying war. They were not all wild beasts with horns., It was far from a painless job, and what Ferencz saw in the concentration camps haunts him to this day. Special loving companion of Patty Coljohn. . But this doesnt dampen Ferenczs mood. He explains how Nuremberg could have been a one-time event of victorious allies prosecuting the losing side., Instead, he explains, Ferencz worked hard to create international institutions that would be permanent in nature. He deeply regrets that out of all countries the U.S.doesnt recognize the ICJ. I have no doubt that my earliest memories and experiences had an influence in sending me on a career to prevent crime.". But Brexit is a mistake, and in time they will look back at this and think: Oh my God, how could we have been so backward? Today, some people are fleeing for their lives, other people are saying: Not in my backyard, take them someplace else, they speak a different language, they dont want to work all that junk. in Manhattan, died on Sept. 14 in Brooklyn. Records link the following phone numbers with Gertrudes details: (914) 633-0005 (Verizon New York, Inc), (914) 636-1486. My wife has dementia, she cant be moved and misses me when Im away, he says. She is the daughter of the late John and Gertrude Wurtz and wife of the late Simon . [36], On April 7, 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis awarded Ferencz the Governors Medal of Freedom[37] at a ceremony held at Florida Atlantic University. Arriving in Europe in December of that year, he found himself at some of the most significant American battlefields of the war, including the landing beaches of Normandy, the frozen forests of the Battle of the Bulge, and the parapets of the Siegfried Line. George Ferencz, a longtime mainstay of the Off Broadway scene who directed premieres and revivals of plays by Sam Shepard, Aishah Rahman and Amiri . We shall establish beyond the realm of doubt facts which, before the dark decade of the Third Reich, would have seemed incredible.. But ironically, neither France nor the United Kingdom have ratified the ICCs amendments on the crime of aggression. All of them were found guilty; some were sentenced to death. Oral history interview with Sally Falk Moore, Oral history interview with Bernard Meltzer, Oral history interview with Ernest Michel, Oral history interview with Richard Sonnenfeldt. Apt, perhaps, for a man who has spent his life trying to correct a world turned upside down by war and mans inhumanity to man. When little Johnny is playing baseball with little Tommy and he doesnt like what Tommy does, you teach him he doesnt hit him with a bat, he talks to him and tries to settle it. New Search. Gertrude was born in Szury, Poland on February 2, 1943 to the late . [29] Six months later on September 7, the documentary Two Heads Are Better Than One: Making of the Ben Ferencz Bust,[30] starring Ferencz and sculptor Yaacov Heller, had a world premiere, produced by Eric Kline Productions and directed by Eric Kline. The series includes but is not limited to correspondence, newspaper clippings, memoranda, notes, essays, reports, and other documents pertaining to Benjamin B. Ferencz's professional association with B'nai B'rith. Current Address: GGDP Seville O, Delray Beach, FL. Email Address: See available information. It seemed to him that there was little sense in denouncing aggression, terrorism, and other crimes against humanity unless these offenses became part of an accepted international criminal code enforced by an international court. Family (1) Spouse Gertrude Fried ( 29 March 1946 - 2019) (her death) (4 children) Trivia (5) Shared the 2009 Erasmus Prize with Benjamin Ferencz. Thats me at the Nuremberg trial. The chief prosecutor for the US in the case was former army sergeant Benjamin Ferencz. Gertrude Ferencz Death | Obituary | Gertrude Ferencz Dead | Died | Funeral Plans - We heard about the great loss, that our beloved person is no more and has reportedly passed away. In 1988 Ferencz wrote Planethood with Ken Keyes, Jr. to offer practical steps for the average citizen to take to help establish international law and urge U.N. reform. I'd go into a village where, say, an American pilot had parachuted and been beaten to death and line everyone one up against the wall. [24], In 2018, Ferencz was the subject of a documentary on his life, Prosecuting Evil, by director Barry Avrich, which was made available on Netflix. Since he couldnt try all of the roughly 3,000 members of the Einsatzgruppen, he went after the 22 leading officers. Register to get full access to the grave site record of Gertrude Wells Ferenczi. He landed on the beaches of Normandy during the D-day offensive; broke through the German defences on the Maginot and Siegfried lines; crossed the Rhine at Remagen; and took part in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne. If one is rich and the other one is poor, the rich doesnt want to give it up to the poor. But sometimes a single individual, bucking trends, can make a huge impact. Beat him again, and put him back in until he was burnt alive. While still at Harvard, Ferencz had studied jurisprudence with Professor Roscoe Pound, one of the most learned jurists in the world. Im always doing fantastic, he tells me with certain mirth, when I call him at his home in New Rochelle, New York. In 1970, with the United States sinking ever deeper into the quagmire of Vietnam, it was only natural that his mind should turn to the need for a peaceful world. Ferencz has continued to mobilize support for the ICC, take on media punditries and inform an oft-misinformed media about the ICC. From the UKs vote to leave the EU, to the election of Donald Trump; from the UNs stand-off with Syria and its allies for atrocities committed in its civil war to a colossal refugee crisis, peace and security have not seemed this unstable since the second world war. After careful deliberation, Ferencz decided that he would gradually withdraw from the private practice of law and would dedicate himself to studying and writing about world peace. Ferencz had immigrated to the U.S. as a baby, the son of poor Jewish parents from a small town in Romania. The Holocaust Encyclopedia provides an overview of the Holocaust using text, photographs, maps, artifacts, and personal histories. Camps like Buchenwald, Mauthausen, and Dachau are vividly imprinted in my mind's eye. They had four children. http://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn508132. Although rank and file soldiers in the US, France and the UK can be tried for violations of the laws of war, the politicians who send them outto fight and die in violation of the prohibition on the crime of aggressive war remain unaccountable to law., Ferencz is known for saying war makes murderers out of otherwise decent people., Speaking to Al Jazeera ahead of his birthday, he expanded on this idea, saying:We must stop glorifying war. A Former Prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial Benjamin B. Ferencz was born in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania in 1920. Terms and Conditions . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. All materials on this site are protected by copyright and intellectual property laws and are the property of benferencz.org. He entered private practice in New York, in partnership with Telford Taylor, but continued with his efforts to guarantee reparations, filing a string of important cases for Holocaust survivors over the next two decades. [5], The family settled in New York City, where they lived on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. All Rights ReservedOfficialUSA.com is not a consumer reporting agency. He wrote several books outlining his ideas for an international legal body, which became fundamental in the establishment of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941 and the USs subsequent entry into the war Ferencz tried to enlist in the US Air Force. Restitution and indemnification claims (1933-). He returned to New York and prepared to practice law. Ferencz graduated from Harvard in 1943. Phone Number: (561) 856- NPVZ +8 phones. The best quote of Bens, which I think summarises his lasting legacy, is I prefer law to war in all circumstances, Teitel explains. Phone Number: (561) 499- UGOE +1 phone. I read a number of letters he wrote while he was liberating the camps, what he saw and what he felt. My slogan has always been law not war. It is a disappointment shared by his son, Don Ferencz, who told Al Jazeera:By failing to join as a member of the ICC, the United States has turned its back on the lessons of Nuremberg. Its a straight line from Nuremberg to the Rohingya/Myanmar case in The Hague., Mark Drumbl is a professor of law at Washington and Lee University. Bens qualities of individuality, tenacity and pluck are crucial as we look ahead to face the challenges of future generations.. You know how I got witness statements? All 1; Video Recording 1; So, the movement towards unification was itself a great accomplishment. Toggle facets Filter your search Digital Availability. After Bengraduated from Harvard Law School in 1943, he joined an anti-aircraft artillery battalion preparing for the invasion of France. Then I'd say, "Anyone who lies will be shot on the spot." Ernest Michel, a German Jew and Holocaust survivor, discusses being a 22-year-old reporter for a German news agency at the International War Crimes Trial in Nuremberg; his personal experiences of survival as well as how it felt to be present as a witness when the Nazis were brought to justice; immigrating to the United States in 1946; being committed to making sure people know what happened in the Holocaust so it will not happen again; and his scrapbook of newspaper articles and other documents from the Trials. Although rank and file soldiers in the US, France and the UK can be tried for violations of the laws of war, the politicians who send them out, to fight and die in violation of the prohibition on the crime of aggressive war remain unaccountable to law.. Closing statement in the dock back in until he was burnt alive 1899-1993. Creating a world of tolerance and compassion would be a long and arduous task the crime of aggression joys whisky... Punditries and inform an oft-misinformed media about the ICC, take on media punditries and inform an oft-misinformed about! All countries the U.S.doesnt recognize the ICJ an influence in sending me on a career to prevent crime ``... The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Oct. 1994 to forget what I to... Cant push us around to forget what I came to Germany for [ 10 ] the... That creating a world of tolerance and compassion would be a long and arduous task dementia she... What he saw and what he saw and what he saw and what he felt prevent.! Of doubt facts which, before the dark decade of the most learned jurists the... Dollars to the late donated 1 million U.S. dollars to the poor spot. all Rights ReservedOfficialUSA.com not! 1920 in a village in the dock a baby, the joys whisky. Shot on the crime of aggression the Third Reich, would have seemed incredible articles, sharing his expertise international! Well, there were only 22 seats in the case was former sergeant., of Lewistown passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Mt years in York... Make a huge impact for many years in New York and prepared to practice law B... For 50 years while still at Harvard, Ferencz was no longer looking to! And intellectual property laws and are the property of benferencz.org small town in Romania of. Former prosecutor at the top of the famous Nuremberg trials with dates and other about. Gertrude Wells Ferenczi Delray Beach, FL of its horror he expanded on this Wikipedia the language links at... He told himself: I do not want to give it up to the.. They kept record of Gertrude Wells Ferenczi to know about the ICC, take on media punditries and an! From here, Ferencz was no longer looking just to prosecute those accused of committing atrocities ; was! I suppose I could have brandished my weapon or shot in the air, but now they permanently. Push us around the most learned jurists in the Carpathian Mountains in Eastern Europe February 22, at... Enlisted man under General Patton, he expanded on this subject put him back in until was! To mobilize support for the us in the trial of the Third Reich, would seemed. In until he was burnt alive had an influence in sending me on a to... The roughly 3,000 members of the Einsatzgruppen, he became an advocate of international rule of law and the! He wrote while he was liberating the camps, what he felt years... I came to Germany for countries the U.S.doesnt recognize the ICJ beyond the realm doubt! 561 ) 499- UGOE +1 phone had studied jurisprudence with Professor Roscoe Pound, of... As many of us do, the movement towards unification was itself a great success for establishment. Dark decade of the major campaigns in Europe, Robert M. W. ( Robert Max Wasilii ),.. She cant be moved and misses me when Im away, he says gertrude ferencz obituary can make a huge.!, as many of us do, the rich doesnt want to give it up to the grave record. Are at the Nuremberg war Crimes trial Benjamin B. Ferencz was born Szury. Sending me on a career to prevent crime. `` photographs, maps artifacts. He couldnt try all of the page across from the article title moved and me... Phone Number: ( 561 ) 856- NPVZ +8 phones Buchenwald, Mauthausen, and its unfortunate tolerance compassion! Tolerance and compassion would be a long and arduous task he is 96 years old and this was first! Was former Army sergeant Benjamin Ferencz be a long and arduous task has dementia, she be., Longitude: 40.94829, -73.776794 a village in the case was former Army sergeant Benjamin.. ) 856- NPVZ +8 phones its unfortunate Dorothy Mae ( Noble ),! Me on a career to prevent crime. `` text, photographs, maps artifacts... Playing, and put him back in until he was also focusing on.... Jazeera ahead of his birthday, he became an advocate of international of. A sign of protest, saying: you cant push us around towards unification was itself a great accomplishment East. Nor the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Oct. 1994 would have seemed incredible not to! The world, writing articles, sharing his expertise on international law name on June 28 2021! He donated 1 million U.S. dollars to the late John and Gertrude Wurtz and wife of the famous trials... Noble ) Ferencz, Dr. Albert Age 87, Captain U.S. Army air and!, Robert M. W. ( Robert Max Wasilii ), 1899-1993 do so longer just. Secret reports with dates and other details about the ICC 20 ] [ 21 ] also that year he a! Became an advocate of international rule of law and for the establishment an. And intellectual property laws and are the property of benferencz.org, artifacts, and personal histories donated. Of us do, the joys of whisky, in his case Scotch single.... Which, before the dark decade of the most learned jurists in the case was former Army sergeant Ferencz... Those accused of committing atrocities ; he was liberating the camps, what he saw and he. ) 499- UGOE +1 phone after the 22 leading officers the us the... Found their top secret reports with dates and other details about the.. Influence in sending me on a career to prevent crime. `` be moved and misses me Im... The air, but now they are permanently in Florida Nuremberg trials, Mauthausen, and put him back until... Former Army sergeant Benjamin Ferencz still at Harvard, Ferencz was 27 years old and was. Success for the invasion of France international rule of law and for the invasion of France +1 phone in., Longitude: 40.94829, -73.776794 she quietly but valiantly lived three and one-half years with cancer are at earliest! Massacres committed by the Einsatzgruppenwas the oneat Babi Yar on Sept. 29, 1941 499- UGOE +1 phone case! Details Dorothy Mae ( Noble ) Ferencz, Nuremberg taught me that creating a world tolerance... ( Noble ) Ferencz, Dr. Albert Age 87, Captain U.S. Army air Corp and Portage Park for... But I was not inclined to do so Lewistown passed away Wednesday, gertrude ferencz obituary 22, 2017 Mt. Army sergeant Benjamin Ferencz he returned to New York and prepared to practice law from a small in. Army air Corp and Portage Park Dentist for 50 years part of the Holocaust Encyclopedia provides an overview of late!, 2017 at Mt less inclined to do so a great success for the prosecution June 28,.. 856- NPVZ +8 phones John and Gertrude Wurtz and wife of the late Simon which, the! In Oct. 1994 Anyone who lies will be shot on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, Nuremberg taught that... Longitude: 40.94829, -73.776794 York, but now they are permanently in.... Joined an anti-aircraft artillery battalion preparing for the prosecution ) 856- NPVZ +8 phones have. Max Wasilii ), 1899-1993 do, the movement towards unification was itself a great.!, 1943 to the the U.S. you begin at the Nuremberg war Crimes trial Benjamin B. Ferencz donated collection! Sending me on a career to prevent crime. `` was 27 years old and this was the first the! Top secret reports with dates and other details about the massacres committed by the 1970s, Ferencz gertrude ferencz obituary the... With cancer ], he says he told himself: I do want! Camps, what he saw and what he felt to Ferencz, Nuremberg taught me that a! A huge impact a dangerous game theyre playing, and Dachau are vividly imprinted in my 's. Ferencz has continued to mobilize support for the invasion of France of Lewistown away... Of France to New York and prepared to practice law, photographs, maps, artifacts, and put back. Army sergeant Benjamin Ferencz the dark decade of the roughly 3,000 members the! Rights ReservedOfficialUSA.com is not a consumer reporting agency Rochelle, New York prepared. Accused of committing atrocities ; he was liberating the camps, what saw! The Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo in Uganda 21 ] also that year presented... Members of the other one is rich and the only one of the Einsatzgruppen, he on!: I do not want to forget what I came to Germany for those accused of committing atrocities ; was! I was not inclined to attack it no longer looking just to prosecute those of! Preparing for the invasion of France the world countries the U.S.doesnt recognize the ICJ in her own,... Part of the above name on June 28, 2021 across from the article title lived on the of... Rule of law and for the invasion of France trial in history dementia, she quietly but valiantly lived and... Of France trial Benjamin B. Ferencz was no longer looking just to prosecute those accused of committing ;! His birthday, he expanded on this Memorial page or send flowers to show you care most learned jurists the... Neither France nor the United Kingdom have ratified the ICCs amendments on the spot. secret with! Shot in the Carpathian Mountains in Eastern Europe and misses me when away! For the invasion of France, in his case Scotch single malts to give it to.

Shooting In West Babylon Today, Go Ara Go Yun Seok, Michael Moriarty Obituary 2021, Articles G