Joe Alexander I met Joe Alexander in the lobby of the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, just hours before he was to give one of the countless talks he has shared with visitors of the Museum. While Joe may be small in physical stature, he is clearly a giant at the museum. His message is so powerful and eloquently delivered, especially for a man who is 97 years old, yet doesn’t look a day over 80. Born in 1922 in Kowal, Poland, life was good for Joe and his family until the Nazis invaded his hometown in 1939. He stated that their wonderful warm, home cooked meals were quickly replaced with potato-peel soup. Shortly thereafter, German troops took over the town and the family along with many thousands of other Jews were transported to the Warsaw Ghetto. Fortunately, I suppose, Joe’s father managed to bribe some guards to let Joseph and two of his siblings escape. Sadly though, this would be the last time Joe would see the rest of his family. From there, he would go on to survive twelve work and death camps including Auschwitz-Birkenau and ultimately Dachau, where fortunately he would be liberated years later. During our photo session, Joe shared many horrific details from the first camps he was sent to, before showing me his tattoo from Auschwitz. Clearly, the numbers 142584 are forever engraved on his arm and in his memory. Joe told me, the day he received it, was the day he lost his personal identity. He was dehumanized. This he says, is the price of price of hate. Joseph arrived at Auschwitz by railcar In February of 1942. As the train stopped, he was met by a man that he later learned was Dr. Josef Mengele, who quickly sent each prisoner to the right or left depending on their age and physical condition. Finding himself in a group of elderly and sick people and having learned from past camps to place himself in the assemblies of the bigger and stronger prisoners, Joe waited until Dr. Mengele moved away and quickly squeezed into the other line. He would learn the next day the other group went straight to the gas chambers. Now, many years later, Joe shares with me that he believes he survived Hitler’s wrath in order to tell his story. He wants everyone to know that “tomorrow” can always bring more light and hope in times when you find yourself in desperate situations. Coming from someone who endured literally years and years of horrific situations and challenges, I am truly left without words as I contemplate the vigorous strength of this man and his undeniable human spirit. The world thanks you Joe for sharing such a powerful message of hope. We all have much to learn from you and are deeply Blessed by your life.