Lisa Reisman file photo
Isidor "Izzy" Juda with 1938 passport issued after escaping to Switzerland, at John C. Daniels School in March.
Isidor “Izzy” Juda — a Holocaust survivor and World War II U.S. Army veteran who lived in the Towers and who regularly spoke with New Haven Public Schools students to ensure that one of the 20th century’s greatest atrocities is never forgotten — has died at the age of 101.
According to the Robert E. Shure funeral home, Juda passed away at his home on Monday.
“The Towers community is processing the loss of such an incredible man,” Towers President/CEO Gus Keach-Longo told the Independent in an email comment. “Our dear friend Izzy inspired all of us to live our best lives. His spirit remains with us as we remember his words of guidance, and his gentle nudges, to help each of us continue to grow regardless of our own struggles. He helped us to remember how short life is (even as he passed away just two weeks shy of his 102nd birthday). Izzy, thank you for being a blessing in our lives. You will not be forgotten.”
Juda was a member of the last surviving generation of Holocaust victims, some of whom — like him — continued to tell their stories in public in hopes of combating denial of the genocide.
Juda was born on Sept. 18, 1921 in Vienna, Austria. He escaped from Vienna in 1938 at just 16 years old at a time of tightening restrictions on Jews and, increasingly, the deportation to concentration camps and likely death by the Nazis. He arrived in the United States in 1940, and, two years later, was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he fought in the Philippines and was shot and injured in the right leg. He earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service.
“Never let anyone tell you it didn’t happen,” Juda told a group of John C. Daniels School students earlier this year during a visit organized by pre‑K teacher Kathy Barkin. “And,” he told the students, “never lose hope.”
Click here and here to read more about Juda’s life and visits to New Haven school classrooms. Click here to view a recording of Juda’s funeral service.
Isidor Juda, 101
New Haven's Holocaust memorial, on Whalley Avenue.
See below for Juda’s obituary in full, as posted to the Robert E. Shure funeral home’s website.
Isidor Juda, 101, devoted husband of 53 years to the late Esther (Weinstein) Juda, died at his home on Sept. 4, 2023. After Esther passed away in 2000, Isidor moved to Florida in 2001 where he met and married Henriette Stauber in 2003. They were married until her death in 2016.
He was born in Vienna, Austria on Sept. 18, 1921, the son of the late Leisor and Taube (Monath) Juda. Known to everyone as Izzy, he escaped from Austria in 1938, remaining in Switzerland until coming to the United States in May 1940.
He was inducted into the United States Army in February 1943 and served in the Pacific Theater until May,1945. He was wounded in the Philippines in January 1945. He received the Purple Heart as well as three Bronze Service Stars.
The family moved from Southern New Jersey to Waterbury, CT in 1964. Izzy worked in the food service industry for most of his life. He was an active member of Beth El Synagogue in Waterbury, Pembroke Pines Jewish Center and for the last 9 years at Temple Beth Sholom in Hamden.
He is survived by his loving children, Stanley Juda of Nashua, NH and Geraldine Ganezer of Southington. He also leaves his grandchildren Eric Ganezer and Tamar Skowronski of Marblehead, MA and Michael and Jennifer Ganezer of Blue Bell, PA. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Sasha, Benjamin and Meirav Ganezer. Funeral services at Robert E. Shure & Son Funeral Home, 543 George Street, New Haven on Wednesday morning, Sept. 6th at 10:30 am. Interment services to follow at Beth El Cemetery, Boyden Street, Waterbury, CT. Period of mourning to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Izzy’s memory may be made to the Towers Foundation, 18 Tower Lane, New Haven, CT, Temple Beth Sholom, Hamden, CT or Temple Beth Abraham, Nashua,NH.
Date of Death: September 4, 2023
Hebrew Date of Death: 18 Elul, 5783
Date of Funeral: September 6, 2023
Location: Funeral Home Service
Time of Funeral: 10:30 a.m.
Place of Burial: Beth El Cemetery, Boyden St, Waterbury
Streaming of Funeral Services at Chapel, Graveside or Synagogue
TO WATCH FUNERAL SERVICE PLEASE CLICK LINK HERE: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/isidor-juda
As these eye witnesses pass away , it is more important than ever to tell their story and remember the evil that men are capable of....