Names Not Numbers

Robert Klein

Budapest, Hungary

In Hiding

1938

Robert Klein

Budapest, Hungary

1938

Robert was born in Budapest, Hungary, in April 1938. He became a Rebbe in Yeshiva. His wife, Judy Klein, was born in Budapest post-war, working as a homemaker. During the war, Robert avoided concentration camps.

‍

Initially, they lived in a Swiss government-owned house until late December. Tensions escalated, and Swiss authorities released Jewish boys to Nazis under threat. Boys were marched along the Danube River, where many Jews were tragically killed.

‍

Robert remembers the coldest day, suffering frostbite, losing hearing. Cold weather brings painful flashbacks. Malachim (angels) disguised as filmmakers confronted Nazis, warning of recorded war crimes. This intervention possibly saved lives.

‍

Afterward, Robert returned to Budapest, war ending three weeks later. Post-war, he spent time in displaced persons camps, then moved to Switzerland, meeting Reb Brisch and Gedolim. Eventually, he relocated to the United States.

‍

Today, Robert lives in Monsey, New York, working as a CPA, giving regular Torah lectures (shiurim).

‍

Names Not Numbers

Robert Klein

Robert Klein

The End