To the Holocaust Educational Trust, Harry Bibring BEM was an unstoppable combination of a tzaddik and a rockstar, by Karen Pollock MBE
He was the busiest man we knew, constantly hopping from educational event to packed social life, telling his story at schools and keeping up with his seemingly endless bridge games.
I’ll always remember on the way back from an intense less than 48-hour visit with HRH Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in Vienna, Harry’s home town, those of us who were meant to be young and vivacious were desperate to get home to our beds, whilst Harry was desperate to get back in time for yet another bridge game at his. He was indefatigable.
One of my favourite memories of Harry was his live webcast for our Stories from Willesden Lane project last year, where his experience as a Jewish child refugee was streamed into the classrooms of 8,000 London students. When the students later met him in person, they greeted him like the superstar he was. He jumped on the stage, waved to the cheering crowds and let them take selfies with him. A true professional! He had captured their hearts - not only because of his compelling story, but due to his warmth, wit and dynamism.
He was a hero to so many of us who worked with him. Up until the very end, Harry determinedly shared his testimony with energy and vigour, which was so typical of him. Harry will be greatly missed, but his story will live on through the many tens of thousands of students who he inspired. May his memory be a blessing.