Leeds Holocaust educator and daughter of survivor, Lilian Black, sadly dies

Lilian Black, who lived in Leeds and grew up in Bradford, became a leading global Holocaust educator in honour of her father Eugene, who survived the Holocaust.

Lilian was the chair of the Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association and drove the establishment and development of the Holocaust Heritage and Learning Centre.

She was awarded an OBE in the latest round of the Queen’s Honours for her services to Holocaust Education.

Lilian’s father Eugene Black was a survivor of the Holocaust who sadly passed away in 2016 and she has since dedicated her time to honouring her father’s legacy.

The Leeds Jewish Representative Council said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened at the news of the passing of Lilian Black, Chair of the Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association and the driving force behind the establishment & development of the Holocaust Heritage and Learning Centre.

“Following in the footsteps of her dear father Eugene, she was one of the leading global Holocaust educators, raising public awareness of the consequences of hate if left checked and unchallenged.

“She worked with survivors of other genocides, building links between people of all cultures and faiths.

“Through the Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association and working with the Leeds Jewish Welfare Board, she created a warm and caring environment for survivors to share experiences and create long-lasting networks of support.

“She was a wonderful, inspirational woman. We send our condolences to her husband Frank and all the family. May her memory be a blessing.”

Lilian lived in Leeds and had strong links to Bradford after having been partly educated and spending part of her career there.

Her dedication to the Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association meant survivors living in the north of England had a community to turn to.

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