To Life L'Chaim: A Story of Courage, Commitment and Continuity - Henry Briggs

Henry Briggs, was born 1939 in Krakow, Poland just before the beginning of the 2nd World War.

Hidden by righteous gentiles he survived the Holocaust, was reunited with his Mother and then they made their way to Australia. Academically successful, he studied Medicine, specialised as a physician, focusing on cardiology and later anti-aging.

With his wife Miriam they built a family that now spans 4 generations. He endowed his children with ethics, values and strong Jewish pride.

His life is testimony to the fact that Hitler and the Nazis were not able to defeat his Jewish spirit.

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2017, paperback

About the author:

Born in 1939 in Krakow, Briggs reflected on his early years during the war when he was hidden and saved by Righteous Gentiles in Poland. “Being separated from his mother and being hidden by religious Christians was probably the first and largest personal challenge dad had to face during his tender formative years,” said Ari.

In his autobiography, Briggs wrote of his family’s immigration to Australia and his conscription into the Australian Army, before studying medicine at the University of Sydney and then becoming a specialist physician.

“When dad arrived in Australia, his mother and stepfather were quite sick … He had met some very helpful doctors who really assisted his mum and stepfather and that’s what prompted him to excel academically to become one himself,” Ari told The AJN.

Highlighting his experience in Betar as the “pinnacle of my life”, Briggs held the SJM audience captive with memories of the youth movement that helped him realise his passion for Zionist causes. Betar was also where he met his wife-to-be Miriam more than five decades ago.

Dedicating the book to his mother Ida (Ducia) Biegeleisen “who devoted her life to saving me”, Briggs wrote his autobiography to pass on his strong values to future generations.

“For my dad, the Holocaust and his other experiences as a child were real life lessons,” Ari commented. “He spoke of survival, a strong work ethic, getting the job done, being passionate about important causes and giving back to the community – all traits that his children and grandkids – try to emulate.”

In reflecting on the lessons he learned, Briggs told The AJN, “My life is a testimony to the fact that Hitler was not able to defeat the Jewish spirit.”

-From the Australian Jewish News, Obituary- 11 January 2018