Sam in the words of his family and friends
Each member of Sam’s family, from the view of their respective stage of life, talks about how Sam affected them emotionally and also what he taught them as a father and loving grandfather. Their words show the special place he still holds in their heart.
To say Sam had many friends is an understatement. Throughout his varied life and community engagement he established warm relationships and friendships. From his professional life to his involvement with the voluntary sector and his activism.
As an activist he was never dogmatic, convinced that it is friendship that binds humanity to make the world a better place.
Listen here to his loved ones and his many friends.
Charlotte Braun talks about her grandfather
« I am 25 years old. It would take me a lifetime to try to apply all that he passed on to me. His kindness, his commitment to kindness for all. »
David Braun talks about his father
« My father passed on to me a faith in all peoples. We are not of any race, we all have the same blood … He passed on a very positive attitude to others. An attitude of caring, listening and sharing. That has been very powerful. »
Françoise Braun talks about her father
« My dad was an exceptional person. He had charisma and a very, very gentle voice. He inhabited such goodness and generosity both in his head and in his heart. My Dad never judged and despite his past he profoundly believed in the fundamental goodness of human beings.»
His friend, Jean-Claude Jacquet, talks about Sam Braun
« 5 days before his death, he was giving a conference with a group of friends. A conference on forgiveness. It was incredible. I don’t think I have ever heard such observations on forgiveness… he had taken from Derrida, ‘… we must be able to forgive the unforgiveable … but we must not confuse forgiveness with forgetting…’ We all still remember that conference. »
Jean-Pierre Lauby talks about Sam Braun
"As well as a testimony, which usually means simply going over an account of what one has experienced, Sam knew to also bring the important dimension of self-reflection and philosophy. He had read widely, so he led the students to think deeply, to use the experience as a stimulus, ‘…I do not wish you to go through what I have been through…’ "
Sam Braun according to his daughter, Malka Braun
"How lucky I was to have this man as my father. To have this man who opened our minds, who opened our hearts, who gave us his soul and his immense heart."
Sam Braun according to his granddaughter, Sarah
"Despite the physical pain he had all his life, he was always smiling. He passed on to us a love of life."
Sam Braun according to Nathalie Rodallec, teacher of history and geography at Lavoisier High School (Paris 5th arrondissement)
"In having Sam Braun speak to my classes, we were listening to an eyewitness like no other, in the sense that he had an extremely philosophical perspective on his experience as a Holocaust survivor."
Sam Braun according to Lionel Ménétrier, teacher of history and geography at Danton College in Levallois-Perret
"He was a man of profound humanity. Extremely warm and uncomplicated, who could to talk to anyone. He was also very sophisticated which was expressed in the most beautiful French.".
Sam Braun in the words of Baptiste, a former student at Danton College in Levallois-Perret
You can find here a collection of the observations of Sam’s loved ones.
This video brings together in one video all the observations of Sam made by his family and friends (they include the videos above as well as several others).
