Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Boruch Spiegel Obituary
Spiegel died May 9 in Montreal, where he had spent the past four years in a nursing home, his son Julius Spiegel said Tuesday
With Spiegel's death, the tiny group of survivors of the legendary World War II revolt that was crushed 70 years ago this month grows even smaller.
Spiegel was one of about 750 Jewish fighters who on April 19, 1943, launched an uprising that took the Germans off guard. The fighters were overwhelmingly outnumbered and outgunned and the revolt never had a real chance, but the fighters still managed to hold out for a month, longer than some countries invaded by Hitler.
Ultimately, though, the Nazi revenge was brutal and involved burning the Warsaw ghetto down building by building. Only a few do zen of the Jewish fighters survived by escaping the ghetto through underground sewage canals to reach the so-called "Aryan side" of the Polish city. Spiegel and his future wife Chaika Belchatowska were among them.
"He was essentially an ordinary guy forced by circumstances to do things that were out of character," Julius Spiegel told The Associated Press.
After surviving the ghetto uprising, Spiegel and his future wife joined the Polish partisans and also took part in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, a larger city-wide revolt against the occupying Germans.
It's not clear how many of the fighters are still living, but the number is certainly tiny.
When Poland held national ceremonies last month marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the ghetto uprising, officials in Warsaw said they believed there could be four survivors left. Only one, Simha Rotem, was visibly present at the ceremony, giving a speech and accepting a high state honor from the Polish pres ident.
Spiegel is survived by his son, Julius, a retired parks commissioner for Brooklyn, daughter Mindy Spiegel of Montreal, and four grandchildren. His wife died in 2002.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
55 Entries
August 19, 2013
from Austin Texas, Dearest Julius, family:
With the beautiful name your father beheld- BOROUCH, we celebrate his Peace and pray
for his rest- Shalom Miss Clotilde' Sofikitis
May 30, 2013
May we always remember
dee dee eng
May 27, 2013
May it comfort family and friends that Boruch will return to his youth and enjoy life ad originally purposed by our Creator - job 33:25
How you can show support
beth gregory
May 27, 2013
You shall walk through the gates amid thunderous applause. Thank you for your bravery. An example to us all.
in sidon
yoram fisher
May 26, 2013
kol ha kavod
May 26, 2013
My condolences to the Speigel family. Isn't it so comforting to know that we'll beable to see our loved ones once again in the near future ...
May 25, 2013
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. We send condolences tp the family and friends at this difficult time. Psalms 65:2
Shari
May 25, 2013
A brave soul indeed. God bless you.
E.D.
May 24, 2013
Mr. Spiegel, what a courageous man! Your suffering and your bravery will not be quickly forgotten. May you rest peacefully - we look forward to meeting you in Paradise, where we will we forget all pain and sadness from this life.
Andy
May 23, 2013
Shalom, Mr. Spiegel.
Jane Lewallen
May 23, 2013
A very contagious man. God bless him for all he went through. My prayers for his family.
May 23, 2013
Sorry for the loss of your loved one.
Isaiah 2:4 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.
May 23, 2013
Sorry for the loss of your loved one.
Isaiah 4:2 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.
Chantale
May 23, 2013
My deepest condolences to the Spiegel family. What a long legacy of courage and strength. One day God is making wars to cease to the extremities of the earth and bring peace. My prayers are with you. Psalms 46:9
Gary Woodward
May 23, 2013
May your light never dim. God forever bless those who suffered so much.
Valerie Creel
May 23, 2013
To remember the sacrifices you made!!
Valerie Creel
May 23, 2013
I can only imagine the horrific details of this time in your life!Thank you for the couragious battle you fought.May God bring your family peace and harmony,and love!Gods loving soul has gone home!Rest in Peace!!!!
Dianna Hartman
May 22, 2013
Oh, to be so incredibly brave! May you be at peace. To your family and friends, my deepest condolences.
Linda Yoos
May 22, 2013
may the beleif in a merciful God in heaven, bring some measure of comfort and peace to your hearts. I remember the books I chose to read in High School. Exodus, Mila 18, and The Wall. The Wall was gave me insight to ethics and courage dispite overwelming odds. As always, it is not what we "win", it is what we acomplish, and how we maintain our humanity while we do it.
Gregory Osborn
May 22, 2013
???? ????
Baruch dayan ha emet
Betty Fowler
May 22, 2013
Prayers and condolences to the family of Boruch Spiegel. Boruch lived a long life of special mightiness from God. Psalm.90:10. He was an epitome of the courage to endure what he went through. Keep the courageous memories of your loved one close in your hearts and minds and may the comfort of God be with you.
Barbara Drake
May 22, 2013
Peace be with you...
May 22, 2013
Ordinary people doing extraordinary things during unbelievable times! Thank you for standing up against human indignities!
victor Belasco
May 22, 2013
God surely has a great place for you.Rest in his love.
May 22, 2013
God bless you, Mr. Spiegel. I earnestly pray you will be in the Promised Land. Your courage was and is rare.
May 22, 2013
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
becca helen
May 22, 2013
Sir, you have my utmost respect. The courage it would have taken to carry out such a feat is very rare, indeed. My heartfelt sympathy to your family and friends. Nothing but blue skies, and peace ahead of you now. Godspeed.
Angela Melnik
May 22, 2013
Rest in peace Mr. Spiegel. Thank you for your courage.
Sylvain
May 22, 2013
God bless your soul.thank you.you are one of israel's heroes.
May 22, 2013
God bless you and your loved ones ~ Rest in peace.
May 22, 2013
God bless you, Mr Spiegel... you & your comrades bravery will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace.
ER
May 22, 2013
RIP, Mr. Spiegel. Thank you. To fight tyranny and brutality and meet it with courage is the highest calling.
Grace Jones
May 22, 2013
Psalms 46:9 "He (G0d) is making wars to cease. Then, the meek will inherit the earth and live forever under paradise conditions
Janet
May 22, 2013
Thank you and God bless you.
May 22, 2013
Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.
T B
May 22, 2013
God bless his family and memory.
Linda
May 22, 2013
May God's gentle peace fill your heart and comfort your soul today and
in the days to come, I am so very sorry for your loss. As you cherish
fond memories also know that God is with you and will provide peace
and hope in the days ahead.
Debbie Jackson
May 22, 2013
My sincere sympathy to the Spiegel Family. Mr. Spiegel was a courageous man to fight for what he beleived in. May we live for the day when God will remove all injustices off this earth. The God of all Comfort states the meek shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
May 22, 2013
your bravery and intrgrity have enriched the world.
the hate that threatened your life and took so mant remains a source of rage,confusion,shame and deep sadness for me.
Rest in peace.
Nancy M
May 21, 2013
Rest in peace Mr Spiegel.
Mark Slomski
May 21, 2013
My sympathy to the family of this hero...May He Rest in Peace.
Hana-Bashe
May 21, 2013
May the Spiegel family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may their memories of Boruch Spiegel be a source of pride for generations to come.
Ivy
May 21, 2013
God Bless You,Sweet Soul.
Annette
May 21, 2013
Many souls will be waiting to greet you. Thank you for your bravery.
May 21, 2013
Whatever, whoever else this man was during his lifetime, he was truly a hero when the time called for it.
May 21, 2013
May the God of all comfort sustain you during this most difficult time. (Heb. 6:10). Again, my deepest sympathies.
John DiSerio
May 21, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Spiegel family. Your father was a war hero. What a story he had to tell. The courage to stand and fight the Nazi beasts from hell. He should have a monument erected in his honor.
Most sincerely,
John DiSerio
Kevan Lipscomb
May 21, 2013
Rest in Peace.
May 21, 2013
Shalom Aleichem
Dwayne Bickham
May 21, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
kathleen horn
May 21, 2013
I don't know you or your family but I want to thank you for doing something so many were afraid to do....
May 21, 2013
RIP YOU ARE A HERO!!
Denise Syrett
May 12, 2013
I do not know Mr. Spiegel. I send my condolences to his family today, May 12th, 2013, because I looked up Boruch Spiegel's name on-line while reading the book Isaac's Army. I wanted to see the face of this brave man and picture him as I read the amazing story of the ghetto uprising. I have been looking up as many of the faces of the people mentioned in the book as I can find. Thank you, Boruch Spiegel for your incredible spirit. I am saddened to learn that you passed away this week, but happy to know that you lived a long, long life. Your inspiring story lives on.
Michelle Spivak Melinger
May 11, 2013
May his memory be a blessing to future generations of the Jewish people.
Showing 1 - 55 of 55 results
Make a Donation
in Boruch Spiegel's name
How to support Boruch's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Boruch Spiegel's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored