When Rohr Wasn’t Allowed In

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Meir Dahan

Miami-based businessman and philanthropist Sami Rohr’s visit this week in Basel, Switzerland, was a homecoming in every sense of the word.

The occasion was the inauguration of the Chabad community center he donated in honor of the Feldinger family who sheltered him as a young boy during World War II.

Visiting some of the city’s landmarks were especially moving for the man who is in his 80s, yet got around with youthful vigor.

After davening Shachris in the synagogue he frequented as a boy, he was warmly welcomed by Daniel Goepfert, President of the Grand Council of Basel, for an official tour in the local legislature.

Visibly overwhelmed with emotion, he told reporters that times have changed in the many years since he left Basel, Chabad.org reported.

“You have to understand, I was here as a refugee boy,” Rohr exclaimed, with his charitable son George Rohr and a granddaughter at his side. “Now, I’m here in the city hall with a grand reception.”

Samuel Rohr was born in Berlin but escaped after Kristallnacht and before the outbreak of the Second World War. His parents were sent to a refugee camp but their son, then 16, was taken in by Shlomo Zalman and Recha Feldinger OBM.

Goepfert addressed guests at the event, and said that as a third – generation politician and government official, he was “ashamed by our history,” the Jewish Chronicle quoted him as saying.

He said: “I am ashamed by the fact that we did not accept the Jews that asked to come through our gates. But I am also proud that those that did succeed to enter Switzerland survived and they numbered about 20,000 people.”

Rohr was accompanied by his “brother” Gavriel Feldinger, his son Alex and Rabbi Zalman Wishedski, Director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Basel.

After being seated in the chambers of city hall, a magnificent building built in 1510, Rohr jokingly asked “When can I submit my vote?”

Goepfert, a rising and charismatic politician, surprised Rohr by outlining the Jewish man’s life in the city based on research he’s done in the city records archive.

In fact, he pointed out to Mr. Rohr, you weren’t allowed into this building or even to the market place in front of it.

The elder Rohr was astonished to hear that and was only reminded of it after seeing his signature affirming his adherence to city laws.

The visit concluded with a light cocktail party where kosher champaign and refreshments were served.