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Irving Schaffer

Irving SchafferIrving Schaffer, a survivor of Auschwitz and faithful supporter of Israel and Denver’s Jewish community, passed away Sept. 4, 2015, in Denver. Rabbis Yaakov Meyer and Tzvi Steinberg officiated at the Sept. 6 graveside service at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Shalom Funeral Services made the arrangements.

““Our dad was always smiling and making people laugh — especially our mother,”” his children said. “”He was totally devoted to her before, during and after her illness.

“”After the horrors he survived, we are in awe of this middah, this character trait, and his ability to always bring joy to others.””

Mr. Schaffer, who recounted his Holocaust experiences in his book Don’’t Give Up: Be Strong and We Will Meet Again, shared his painful memories publically and privately to educate others about persecution.

Despite his tortuous past and the awful memories that stained his heart, he deeply and unreservedly loved his family, friends and many others.

““Our dad loved people,”” his family said. “”He loved to make them laugh and smile. And he was always smiling too!””

Mr. Schaffer was born May 26, 1928, in Chust, Czechoslovakia.

A witness to inexpressibly inhumane acts, he survived Auschwitz, death marches, Landsberg and other camps. Only Schaffer and his older brother, who were briefly reunited but separated in the post-war chaos — made it through the Holocaust.

Liberation promised freedom. Instead, danger and death lurked around every corner. While the scale had diminished, the killings continued.

In 1947, Mr. Schaffer came to Pittsburgh, Pa., to stay with cousins. Suffering from depression and unable to focus, it took him years to find a job.

He studied English at night school, sought psychiatric help and tried to enlist in the US Army. Then he underwent a near fatal surgery.

“”I asked G-d, why did you bring me into this lonely world?”” Mr. Schaffer wrote in his book. “”Why did you give me life if I had to suffer my whole lifetime? But then I remembered what my father said to me in Auschwitz: ‘’Don’’t give up. Be strong and we will meet again.’”'”

Ready for a new start, Mr. Schaffer moved to Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He became a US citizen on May 8, 1953, and married Irene Sorkin on Feb. 14, 1955.

After the couple bought a piano for their children, Mr. Schaffer discovered he had a natural gift for tuning pianos. He graduated the piano technician class at Oberlin College’s Conservatory of Music in 1963.

In 1978, the family moved to Denver, where Mr. Schaffer opened Schaffer’s Piano Service. He tuned, repaired and rebuilt pianos for countless Denverites.

Mrs. Schaffer passed away on Sept. 8, 2010.

A member of B’nai B’rith Einstein Lodge #2103 in Cleveland, Mr. Schaffer helped found the Mehitza Minyan at BMH-BJ, frequently led its services and was active in the synagogue’s Sage group for seniors.

He twice volunteered with the Israeli Army through the Sar-El program.

Mr. Schaffer is survived by his children Jeffrey Schaffer of Holon, Israel, Sheila Belter of Denver and Illona Weiman of Greenwood Village; and grandchildren Jake Weiman, Avrohom Aharon Weiman, Julie Belter and Robert Belter.

Contributions may be made to Aish Denver, BMH-BJ or Kavod Senior Life.

Copyright © 2015 by the Intermountain Jewish News




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