Benjamin Jacobs (dentist)

Polish-Jewish dentist and Holocaust survivor

Benjamin Jacobs (18 July 1919 – 30 January 2004) was a Polish-Jewish dentist and a Holocaust survivor. He is best known for his memoir, The Dentist of Auschwitz, which recounts his experiences during World War II and his survival through the Nazi concentration camps.

Early life

Benjamin Jacobs was born as Berek Jakubowicz in Danzig, Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland). He grew up in a Jewish family and pursued a career in dentistry, studying at the University of Warsaw.

World War II and the Holocaust

In 1939, with the outbreak of World War II, Jacobs' life was dramatically altered. The Nazi invasion of Poland led to the persecution of Jews, and Jacobs, along with his family, was forced into the Warsaw Ghetto.

Deportation and concentration camps

In 1940, Jacobs was deported to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. His skills as a dentist were recognized by the camp authorities, which allowed him to survive by working in the camp's dental clinic. Later, he was transferred to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp, where he continued to work as a dentist.

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Benjamin Jacobs' memoir, The Dentist of Auschwitz

At Auschwitz, Jacobs was forced to extract gold teeth from the corpses of fellow prisoners, a task that haunted him for the rest of his life. Despite the horrific conditions, Jacobs managed to survive the camp's brutal regime.

Death marches and liberation

As the Allied forces advanced, Jacobs was forced on a death march to the Neuengamme concentration camp and later to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. He was eventually liberated by the British Army in April 1945.

Post-war life

After the war, Jacobs emigrated to the United States, where he resumed his career in dentistry. He settled in Boston, Massachusetts, and became an active member of the Jewish community.

Memoir and legacy

In 1995, Jacobs published his memoir, The Dentist of Auschwitz: A Memoir, which provides a detailed account of his experiences during the Holocaust. The book is considered an important contribution to Holocaust literature, offering insights into the daily life and struggles of concentration camp prisoners.

Jacobs dedicated his later years to educating others about the Holocaust, speaking at schools and universities to ensure that the atrocities of the past would not be forgotten.

Death

Benjamin Jacobs passed away on 30 January 2004 in Brookline, Massachusetts. His legacy continues through his memoir and the countless lives he touched through his educational efforts.

Related pages

• Holocaust survivors
• Auschwitz concentration camp
• Sachsenhausen concentration camp
• Bergen-Belsen concentration camp