Remarkable Resilience

Remarkable Resilience: The Life and Legacy of Noémi Ban Beyond the Holocaust goes well beyond the story of a young woman determined to hold on to her dignity while being held prisoner by the Nazis in Auschwitz and then in Buchenwald. Rather, this story highlights the inspiring resilience of Noémi Schönberger Ban, a strong and independent woman notably ahead of her time. After surviving the Holocaust, Noémi’s courage and resilience once again came into play as she endured Soviet oppression in communist Hungary, escaped with her young sons into Austria after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, and then continued her teaching career once she immigrated to the United States. After dedicating herself to providing round-the-clock care for her Holocaust-survivor husband while watching dementia take over his brilliant mind, Noémi made the decision to return to Auschwitz. She next devoted almost three decades of her life to sharing her story and inspirational messages, capturing the hearts of tens of thousands of students and community members across the United States and as far away as Hungary and Taiwan. 

Noémi’s story not only underscores the true meaning of freedom and living life to the fullest, but also illustrates our capacity to replace heartache and loss with love, hope, and faith in humankind. This is a story of triumph over two of the most oppressive regimes of the 20th century and a testimony to the healing power of love. The twists and turns cause the manuscript to read like fiction, but this true story is an important and authentic historical document that has a place alongside other classic works in the genre.

This book, written in Noémi’s voice by one of her closest friends, is based on hours of informal conversation; transcripts from professional interviews; a documentary film about Noémi’s experiences; input from family and friends; and the words of Noémi’s father in his own written account of his World War 1 and World War II experiences. The writer’s close relationship with Noémi provided the foundation for deep discussions and shared confidences over the course of their twenty-five-year friendship, a connection that facilitated the project during Noémi’s ninety-seventh year of life. Remarkable Resilience represents the commitment of two friends, three decades apart in age and a world apart in life experiences, intent on preserving Noémi’s story and her messages of hope and healing. 

This endeavor represents a unique combination of the writer’s academic and professional background in education and psychology with Noémi’s lifelong enthusiasm for teaching and her passionate mission of sharing lessons from the Holocaust. The writer, a practitioner of positive psychology, has embraced Noémi’s story as a shining example of many of the character strengths addressed by positive psychologists: bravery; persistence; integrity; vitality; hope; gratitude; love; social intelligence; lifelong learning; perspective and wisdom; active citizenship; humor and playfulness; and a sense of purpose. 

The Second World War has been the subject of countless books and movies, but the Holocaust, in particular, is a topic that endlessly interests readers and viewers. Despite the plethora of books on the topic, it seems that each year another work grabs the attention of the public and rises to the top of the bestseller list. Noémi Ban is one of the most extraordinary women to emerge from the ruins of the Holocaust, and her story is truly one of the most unique ever told. Her vivid recollections, aided by her father’s eloquent, heartfelt diary entries, bring history to life. 

Remarkable Resilience is not only a captivating story, but it also provides a unique historical perspective from which to view the current national and international political climate. It offers hope to people in need of inspiration and encourages readers to appreciate the enduring power of friendship and family. Noémi’s story and her wisdom are her legacy, and through this book, Noémi’s undefeatable spirit lives on.