Honoring Three Extraordinary Lives
Today, we shine a spotlight on Holocaust Survivor Day, observed annually on June 4 since 2021. This special day is dedicated to celebrating the lives, resilience, and contributions of living Holocaust survivors whose courage and perseverance continue to inspire us all.
This month, three of our beloved Western New York Holocaust survivors celebrate birthdays, giving us an opportunity to reflect on their remarkable journeys and the lasting impact they have made on our community.
Dr. K. Nicholas (Nick) Leibovic: Celebrating 105 Years on June 14
Born in Lithuania in 1921, Nick Leibovic escaped Nazi persecution when his parents sent him to England in 1939 to complete his education. Through determination and a passion for learning, he earned degrees in engineering and mathematics before immigrating to the United States.
In 1963, Nick joined the University at Buffalo, where he became a pioneering professor of biophysics, a respected contributor to theoretical biology and cognitive science, and a beloved mentor to generations of students. Following his retirement, Nick continued to enrich the Buffalo community by sharing his Holocaust experiences with thousands of students and community members, teaching courses in human behavior and physics at Canterbury Woods, and exhibiting his remarkable artwork throughout Buffalo and beyond.
Dr. Sol Messinger – Celebrating 94 Years on June 16
Born in Berlin in 1932, Sol Messinger survived one of the most infamous refugee journeys of the Holocaust aboard the MS St. Louis, the ship carrying Jewish refugees that was turned away from Cuba and denied entry into both the United States and Canada before being forced back to Europe.
After years of uncertainty, courage, and survival, Sol and his family found refuge in Buffalo in 1942, where they rebuilt their lives after losing much of their extended family in the Holocaust. A retired physician, Sol earned his medical degree from the University at Buffalo and went on to serve as Associate Clinical Professor of Pathology at the Jacobs School of Medicine from 1964 to 2007. Through his decades of service to patients, students, and the broader community, as well as his commitment to Holocaust education, Sol has left an enduring mark on Western New York.
Dr. Sophia Veffer – Celebrating 96 Years on June 18
Born in Amsterdam in 1929, Sophia Veffer survived the Holocaust through extraordinary courage and resilience. Following the Nazi invasion of Holland, she spent years hidden by courageous families, separated from her parents and constantly moving to avoid capture. After being betrayed, Sophia was sent to Westerbork transit camp and later deported to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the age of 14. She endured unimaginable hardship until liberation in April 1945.
After the war, Sophia was reunited with her parents and immigrated to the United States in 1954. For decades, she has been one of Western New York’s most powerful voices for Holocaust education. Through sharing her personal story, Sophia has helped thousands understand the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and indifference while inspiring young people to become upstanders and advocates for a more just and compassionate world. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, she was awarded SUNY’s Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2019.
As we celebrate Holocaust Survivor Day and these milestone birthdays, we honor not only the survival of Nick, Sol, and Sophia, but also their lifelong commitment to education, service, and strengthening our community. Their stories remind us that even in the face of unimaginable darkness, courage, resilience, and compassion can illuminate the path forward for future generations.