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Kindertransport refugee and ‘legend’ volunteer Harry Heber dies aged 95
The Holocaust survivor devoted decades to helping others, after escaping Austria for Britain aged seven
Kindertransport refugee and Holocaust survivor Harry Heber MBE, who spent decades helping vulnerable people after escaping the Nazis as a child, has died aged 95.
Heber fled Innsbruck, Austria, with his older sister Ruth following Kristallnacht in November 1938, arriving in Britain aged seven.
The siblings were separated during their journey but were later reunited, before their parents reached Britain shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War.
The Hebers had been assisted by the Central British Fund for German Jewry, now World Jewish Relief, which helped Jewish refugees escape Nazi persecution.
After building a new life in Britain, Heber qualified as an optician and later used those skills to help tens of thousands of people around the world.
From 1998, he voluntarily ran World Jewish Relief’s Optical Programme for more than two decades, making over 60,000 pairs of prescription glasses for vulnerable people across 15 countries.
Many went to older Jewish people in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, including people in Belarus affected by the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Explaining what drove his volunteering, Heber once said: “I saw an opportunity to help and to give something back.”
His work amounted to around 8,500 hours of voluntary service and earned him the Edwards Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Volunteering Award from the Jewish Volunteering Network in 2019.
He was appointed an MBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to charity and Holocaust education.
Heber remained closely connected to his Kindertransport story throughout his life. In 2016, he and Ruth returned to Harwich together, 77 years after arriving in Britain as child refugees.
Michael Newman OBE, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), said: “The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) is deeply saddened by the passing of long-standing member Harry Heber MBE, a Kindertransport refugee who devoted much of his life to helping others.
“Harry arrived in Britain from Innsbruck, Austria, aged seven, together with his older sister Ruth, following Kristallnacht in November 1938. Separated during their journey, the siblings were eventually reunited with their parents in Britain shortly before the outbreak of war.
“Harry went on to become an optician and, following his retirement, established an optical project providing spectacles to people in need around the world. He remained deeply connected to his Kindertransport experience and to the AJR community throughout his life.”
Paul Anticoni OBE, chief executive of World Jewish Relief, described Heber as “an absolute legend” and the charity’s longest-serving volunteer.
“His dedication and commitment to assisting others was shaped by the help he received as a child. He was a truly special, deeply kind gentleman who made us laugh and inspired us all.”
Further tributes to Heber are expected to follow from across the Jewish community.
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