A Labor Day weekend with Holocaust Survivor and renowned speaker Sami Steigmann

Sami Steigmann is an American-Israeli Holocaust survivor, motivational speaker, and educator who has dedicated his life to teaching the next generation about tolerance, combating hate, and overcoming adversity. But what means more than anything else in the world to me is the fact that he is one of my closest friends. Over the past 8 years, Sami and I have created an incredible bond and have been together every step of the way as we fight the good fight for the Nation of Israel on a daily basis. Whether at Israel galas, rallies, diplomatic events, or various initiatives defending the Nation of Israel, we have stood hand in hand as we work to fight for the betterment of Am Yisrael. To be able to take my dear friend to a Mets game this past Labor Day weekend meant the world to me.

Born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Steigmann was just one and a half years old when his family was deported by Romanians to Mogilev-Podolsky, a Nazi-administered labor camp in Transnistria (modern-day Ukraine). As a young child incapable of work, he faced extreme starvation and was highly vulnerable. He owes his survival to a German woman from a nearby farm who covertly brought him milk while delivering food to the SS guards.

Following the liberation of the camp by the Red Army, Steigmann’s journey spanned several countries: He grew up in the small town of Reghin without knowing the native language. In 1961, his family emigrated to Israel, where he later served in the Israeli Air Force. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1968. After a brief return to Israel in 1983, he permanently relocated to the United States in 1988, settling in New York City, where he now resides in Little Neck, NY. Sami Steigmann acts as a “social action agent,” transforming his past suffering into motivational outreach. He works extensively with youth organizations like StandWithUs. His life philosophy is built around the Hebrew word Emet (Truth), which serves as his core educational acronym: To Educate the next generation, Motivate them to be their best, Empower them to be upstanders and to embody Tolerance, the concept of promotion by accepting diverse cultures and opinions.

Sami Steigmann frequently makes headlines for his public school lectures. In early 2026, a major controversy arose when a Brooklyn middle school principal initially barred him from speaking due to concerns that his presentation would be “too political” amidst international conflict tensions. Following public outcry and intervention by the Department of Education, Steigmann ultimately delivered his speech at the school, emphasizing that his message centers strictly on preventing hate and teaching the heart, not politics.

To be able to call Sami one of my closest friends is something words can not describe. He has traveled non-stop over the past few years and has made it his life’s mission to teach the future generation to never forget. As the sun was setting and the Mets Game was coming to a close, I embraced my dear friend and told him that these are the moments that we treasure the most in the World. To be able to talk about life, reflect on the past and share aspirations for the future is something that we will treasure for generations to come.