Ida Gotthelf

Ida was born on April 8, 1933, in Ostrowiec, Poland, the youngest of four daughters of Israel and Dora Silberberg. Her early childhood was filled with warmth—Shabbat evenings, family gatherings, and the comforting traditions of home. She remembered standing beside her father as he blessed the wine and challah, surrounded by song and the glow of candlelight. Those memories of warmth and protection stayed with her even through the hard years that followed.

When the Germans invaded Poland in 1939, Ida was just six years old, excited to begin school. She remembered the soldiers marching into town in perfect lines, their shiny boots gleaming. To a child, they seemed impressive—even offering candy. But soon the world she knew disappeared. Schools for Jews were closed, and fear slowly replaced the safety of childhood.

During the war, Ida and her family endured the unimaginable. They hid in an attic, silent and terrified, as soldiers searched the house below. She witnessed deportations, violence, and the loss of her beloved sister, Rivka. In 1944, Ida and her family were sent to Auschwitz. There, her family stuffed newspapers into her boots so she would appear taller and older and avoid the fate of the youngest children.

Even in that terrible place, Ida’s spirit endured. In the Kinderlager, her beauty, bright personality and lovely singing stood out. Her survival was not only luck—it was also the strength, courage, and determination that defined her throughout her life.

After the war, Ida reunited with her family and slowly began rebuilding. She came to the United States in 1950, carrying with her both the weight of memory and the hope of a new beginning.

In Germany, as a young girl beginning life again, she met the man who would become her husband, Josef Gotthelf, also a survivor of Auschwitz. Their story—beginning with a young girl’s crush and growing into a lifelong partnership—brought joy and love into the life she created. Together they built a home and a future.

Family was Ida’s top priority. She maintained deep connections with her surviving relatives, visiting frequently. She cared for her parents, and opened her home to those in need. Her children were raised with an awareness of their history, heritage and good fortune.

Active in their community, Ida and Joe were founders of the first Reform Jewish congregation in Wayne, NJ. Eager to engage as a naturalized American, Ida embraced new activities; singing and playing guitar, modern dance, yoga, golf and becoming a life master at bridge in just 3 years.

Ida is survived by her 3 children-Terry (husband Barry), Cheryl (husband Idan) and Alex (wife Jill), and 6 grandchildren-Isaac, Joel, Joey, Garret, Dori and Leah.

Ida’s life reminds us of the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. She survived when so many did not, and she carried their memory forward through her life, her family, and her story.

Today we remember Ida as a survivor, but even more so as a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and grandmother. Her courage allowed her to thrive after unimaginable loss.

May her memory be a blessing.