Vera Schaufeld, a remarkable figure whose life journey spanned continents and decades, passed away at the age of 95. Her story is one of resilience, dedication, and profound impact, particularly in the fields of education and Holocaust remembrance.
Early Life and Escape from Czechoslovakia
Born Věra-Helga Löwyová in Prague in 1929, Vera was the only child of Jewish parents, Eugen Löwy, a lawyer, and Else Löwy, a paediatrician. She enjoyed a secure and happy upbringing in Klatovy, but her childhood was abruptly shattered by the looming threat of Nazi Germany. At just nine years old, in 1939, she was forced to say a heartbreaking goodbye to her parents at Prague station and board a Kindertransport train to Britain, a journey she made alone.
In the UK, she was taken in by Leonard and Nancy Faires, a Methodist couple in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, who provided her with a new home alongside their own daughter, Betty. Tragically, after the Second World War ended, Vera learned that her parents, grandmother, aunt, and uncle had all perished in concentration camps, a loss that deeply shaped her future endeavours.
Career in Education and Specialisation
After completing her secondary education at the East Anglian School for Girls in Bury St Edmunds, Vera trained as a primary school teacher at Southlands College, which is now part of the University of Roehampton. Her teaching career began at Stepney Jewish School, but in 1951, she left to join a kibbutz in Israel. It was there, on her very first night, that she met Avram Schaufeld, a Polish concentration camp survivor working as a shepherd. They married in 1952 and settled in the UK two years later.
Vera taught in various primary schools across London while Avram qualified as a physiotherapist. The couple had two daughters, Rachel and another, and moved to Wembley in north-west London. After a career break from 1956 to 1963 to focus on her young children, Vera returned to teaching with a renewed purpose.
Focus on English as a Second Language
In 1972, she joined the Brent Language Service, where she specialised in teaching English to primary and secondary schoolchildren who had recently arrived in the UK. Her dedication to this field led her to earn a diploma in teaching English as a second language from Ealing Technical College. Subsequently, she became a part-time practical assessor on the same course while serving as a full-time ESL adviser for the London Borough of Brent, helping countless young learners adapt to their new environment.
Holocaust Education and Recognition
Drawing from her personal experiences, Vera became a passionate advocate for Holocaust education. Over her last three decades, she shared her story with innumerable groups of children and adults, emphasising the importance of empathy and understanding. She often spoke at the invitation of organisations such as the Holocaust Education Trust and the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, but she also readily accepted requests from other channels, ensuring her message reached a wide audience.
In recognition of her invaluable contributions, Vera was appointed an MBE in 2019 for her services to Holocaust education. That same year, she also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Roehampton, honouring her lifelong commitment to teaching and learning.
Personal Interests and Later Life
Beyond her professional work, Vera had a deep love for literature and philosophy. In the 1960s, she enjoyed taking classes organised through the Housebound Wives’ Register, and her participation in book and poetry groups continued well into her later years, even after she moved into a care home in 2022. This intellectual curiosity and engagement with ideas enriched her life and those around her.
Vera was predeceased by her husband, Avram, in 2017, and her daughter, Rachel, in 2023. She is survived by her other daughter, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy of courage, education, and compassion that continues to inspire.
