Births on March 31

Yehuda Nir, Polish Jewish-American psychiatrist (d. 2014)

Yehuda Nir, a name synonymous with resilience and healing, lived a remarkable life that spanned from the horrors of the Holocaust to a distinguished career as a psychiatrist and an impactful author. Born Juliusz Gruenfeld on March 31, 1930, in Lwów, Poland (a city now known as Lviv, Ukraine), his early years were tragically shaped by the escalating terrors of World War II.

Holocaust Survival: A Childhood Forged in Shadows

A Perilous Path to Survival

The shadow of Nazi persecution fell heavily upon young Juliusz and his family during World War II in Poland. In an extraordinary act of courage and quick thinking, the family made the agonizing decision to disguise their Jewish identity, with Juliusz posing as a Roman Catholic. This harrowing ruse demanded not only immense bravery but also a profound adaptation; he even learned Latin to maintain the deception and navigate a world determined to erase his people. This period of his life, fraught with constant danger and the ever-present threat of discovery, became the defining experience that he would later recount with gripping detail and profound insight in his seminal work.

The Meaning Behind a Name

After the war, a new chapter began, marked by a significant personal transformation. Juliusz Gruenfeld chose to shed his German-sounding surname, adopting "Nir," a Hebrew word meaning 'plowed fields.' This change was not merely symbolic; it represented a profound connection to his Jewish heritage and a turning away from the painful associations of his past, embracing a future rooted in identity and renewal.

A Life Dedicated to Healing: The Psychiatrist and Author

From Trauma to Treatment

The indelible impact of his wartime ordeal profoundly influenced Yehuda Nir's life's work. Witnessing immense suffering and grappling with his own traumatic experiences, he felt a powerful calling to the field of psychiatry. He dedicated his career to understanding and treating the deepest wounds of the human psyche, specializing particularly in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the complex needs of severely ill children. His empathy and profound understanding of trauma were not merely academic; they were born from the crucible of his own survival.

An American Journey and Esteemed Career

In 1959, Yehuda Nir embarked on a new journey, immigrating to the United States. He further honed his medical expertise by completing residencies in the bustling medical centers of New York City and Philadelphia. His professional journey reached a significant pinnacle when he served as the Chief of Child Psychiatry at the prestigious Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1979 until 1986. This role underscored his commitment to some of the most vulnerable patients, where he applied his unique blend of clinical skill and compassionate understanding derived from his own profound life experiences.

Literary Legacy: Sharing Stories of Survival and Connection

Beyond his clinical practice, Yehuda Nir became a significant literary voice. In 1989, he released his poignant and powerful memoir, The Lost Childhood. This critically acclaimed work offered a firsthand account of his experiences as a Holocaust survivor, resonating deeply with readers worldwide. Its importance was further recognized when a second edition was reprinted by Scholastic Press in 2002, and today, The Lost Childhood is an integral part of high school curricula across the United States, educating new generations about the Holocaust and the enduring human spirit. Nir also extended his insights to the realm of relationships, authoring four self-help books. These included insightful titles such as Not Quite Paradise: Making Marriage Work and Loving Men for All the Right Reasons, showcasing his broader understanding of human connection and well-being.

Later Life, Family, and Enduring Impact

Yehuda Nir passed away peacefully at his home in Manhattan, New York City, on July 19, 2014, at the age of 84. His funeral was held at the Riverside Memorial Chapel on the Upper West Side, a fitting tribute to a life lived with purpose. His final resting place, the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, linked him spiritually back to the land of his ancestors and the resilience that defined his identity. He was survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie Maslin, and their children: daughter Sarah, an accomplished reporter for The New York Times, and son David, who serves as the political director for Daily Kos. He was also survived by two sons from a previous marriage, Daniel, a private investor, and Aaron, a fashion executive. Yehuda Nir’s legacy lives on not only through his written words, which continue to educate and inspire, but also through the countless lives he touched as a healer, a survivor, and a beacon of hope, ensuring his story remains an essential part of Holocaust remembrance and the study of trauma.

FAQs About Yehuda Nir

Who was Yehuda Nir?

Yehuda Nir was a Polish-born American Holocaust survivor, a distinguished psychiatrist specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder and child psychiatry, and an acclaimed author. He is best known for his powerful memoir, The Lost Childhood.

When and where was Yehuda Nir born?

He was born on March 31, 1930, in Lwów, Poland (now Lviv, Ukraine), and his birth name was Juliusz Gruenfeld.

How did Yehuda Nir survive the Holocaust?

During World War II, to escape Nazi persecution in Poland, he and his family posed as Roman Catholics. He took on a false identity and even learned Latin as part of this elaborate deception to ensure their survival.

What is The Lost Childhood about?

The Lost Childhood is Yehuda Nir's poignant memoir detailing his harrowing experiences as a Jewish boy hiding from the Nazis in Poland during the Holocaust. It is widely used as part of high school curricula across the United States.

What was Yehuda Nir's professional career after the war?

He became a psychiatrist, immigrating to the United States in 1959. He specialized in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treating severely ill children, and notably served as Chief of Child Psychiatry at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from 1979 to 1986.

When did Yehuda Nir pass away?

Yehuda Nir passed away on July 19, 2014, at his home in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 84.