Hephzibah Rudofsky
Hephzibah Rudofsky is the daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. In 2009, she founded the educational program Surviving the Holocaust, which focuses on the powerful story of her mother, Lady Zahava Kohn, and her extraordinary survival during the Second World War.
Hephzibah has shared this poignant history with tens of thousands of students in hundreds of schools across Britain, Germany, and the United States. Her presentations are uniquely enriched by a significant archive of artefacts, letters, documents, and other objects preserved by her mother and grandmother from their time in the Westerbork, Bergen-Belsen, and Biberach camps. These artefacts bring an extraordinary dimension to her storytelling, offering audiences a tangible connection to history.
A student recently remarked:
“The talk was awe-inspiring. I feel as though it really opened my eyes to a whole new side of the Holocaust because the facts and figures are one thing, but actually hearing a real-life story makes it so much more real and personal. One of the best talks I’ve ever listened to.”
Following Zahava’s passing in 2022, Hephzibah has continued to carry forward her mother’s legacy, sharing her story of resilience, survival, and hope with a new generation.
Hephzibah’s contributions to Holocaust education have been widely recognized. In April 2015, she appeared as a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Later that year, in October, she was awarded the Freedom of the City of London for her impactful work. In June 2019, she received the Points of Light Award from Prime Minister Theresa May in recognition of her dedication to preserving and teaching the lessons of the Holocaust.