When I interviewed Paul Wolff, a Holocaust survivor who has dedicated his life to spreading a message of peace and empathy, I felt the profound weight of the history he carries and the lessons he has to offer. Born in 1929 in Hamburg, Germany, Paul grew up in a world that quickly spiraled into darkness as Nazi power rose and anti-Semitic policies took hold. His story isn’t just one of survival—it’s one of enduring hope and relentless advocacy.
Paul’s father, a decorated World War I veteran, embodied the tragic irony of their family’s fate. Despite his loyalty to Germany, he couldn’t shield his family from the rising threat of persecution. Paul vividly recalled Kristallnacht in November 1938, describing how he watched from the top of the staircase as the Gestapo took his father away. “The scars of discrimination began to shape my perception of humanity from that moment,” he shared. That night marked a turning point in Paul’s life—a stark reminder that discrimination spares no one, regardless of loyalty or service.
Finding refuge became an urgent need. His sisters were sent to safety on the Kindertransport, a British initiative that rescued thousands of Jewish children by placing them with foster families. Though painful, the separation saved their lives. Paul and his parents eventually reached London and then the United States in 1939, just weeks before the outbreak of World War II. Adapting to life in San Francisco was a new challenge, with a foreign language, unfamiliar culture, and lingering discrimination against refugees. But Paul thrived, excelling in school and eventually studying architecture at UC Berkeley.
Reflecting on these experiences, Paul’s belief in the sanctity of life and the futility of violence is unshakable. “All life is sacred. There’s no greater penalty than losing it, and very few things are worth dying for,” he said. Witnessing the suffering of his father and others at the hands of the Gestapo solidified his conviction that violence only deepens pain. His perspective extends to current conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian tensions. “Muslims and Jews have the right to live in peace, side by side. The lives of people in Gaza and Israel should be viewed as sacred,” he said. He challenges societies and leaders to seek reconciliation over retaliation, emphasizing that violence only leads to more suffering.
At the core of Paul’s advocacy is a belief in the power of education to dismantle inherited prejudice. “Prejudice comes from ignorance passed down through generations. But education can change that,” he explained, stressing the importance of learning one another’s stories to foster empathy. For years, he has shared his story with young audiences in schools and universities. “When you know someone’s story, it’s harder to hate them,” he noted—a simple truth about how understanding builds connection and reduces hatred.
Paul’s message to young people is direct: practice empathy, recognize the worth in every human life, and seek to understand before making judgments. His life is a testament to these values. “Get to know who you’re fighting. Get personal, and maybe you won’t want to kill them,” he advised, speaking from the wisdom of someone who has seen humanity at its best and worst.
Despite his painful past, Paul remains hopeful for the future. He believes that, through dialogue and education, society can rise above prejudice and division. “Education and open dialogue are keys to overcoming inherited biases. If young people can embrace this, peace is possible,” he said. Paul’s story is a powerful call to action, reminding us that the real cost of war and violence reaches far beyond the battlefield. “All life is sacred,” he emphasized—a potent reminder that compassion and the defense of human dignity must be central to all we do.