Read about a special supporter who gave a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves.
Eli Zborowski
Eli Zborowski was born in Zarki, Poland in September 1925. After the war began in 1939, Eli joined the Jewish underground and served as a courier between the ghettos of western Poland. In 1942, when the Nazis liquidated the ghettos and systematically began to exterminate the Jews, Eli and his family hid in the attic and chicken coop of a Christian family, later recognized as Righteous Among the Nations. His father became separated from the family and was murdered in 1943.
Read more of his story
After surviving the war with his remaining family, Eli arrived in Feldafing, a camp for displaced persons in Germany. At this camp, Eli met his future wife and fellow Holocaust survivor, Diana Wilf. They were married in Feldafing in December of 1948 and together moved to the United States in 1952.
Throughout his life, Eli was a dedicated advocate for Holocaust remembrance and education. In 1981, Eli founded and chaired the American and International Societies for Yad Vashem, guiding it to raise over $100 million for the benefit of Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. He established the Diana and Eli Zborowski Interdisciplinary Chair for Holocaust Studies and Research at Yeshiva University in New York City. Eli also endowed the Diana Zborowski Center for the Study of the Aftermath of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem.
Diana stood by Eli’s side for 57 years until she passed away in 2004. In 2006, Eli remarried Dr. Elizabeth Mundlak who worked together with Eli to continue his life’s mission of Holocaust remembrance and education. Eli was the proud father of two children and seven grandchildren.
Eli passed away at the age of 86 in September, 2012. His kindness, strength, and leadership is missed by all.
Eli’s legacy as Founding Chair of the American Society for Yad Vashem will endure forever through the naming of our Legacy Circle in his memory, and through its many future members.
Join Our Legacy Circle
Together we can do so much. Join a community of people who share your passion for Holocaust remembrance and education by becoming a member of one of our Legacy Circle.