Gerda Hack Metz was born in 1933 in Speyer, Germany, into a loving family whose quiet life was shattered by the rise of Nazi persecution. As a young girl, Gerda witnessed the violence of Kristallnacht, when her father was arrested and taken away—never to be seen again. Forced to leave school, wear the yellow star, and struggle for survival, Gerda and her family endured years of fear, hiding, and hardship during the Holocaust.
After the war, Gerda and her mother rebuilt their lives with courage and determination. In 1951, they immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York before settling in Cleveland with the help of JFSA Cleveland. There, Gerda learned English, worked hard, and began building a future that had once seemed impossible.
Gerda married fellow survivor Abraham Metz, and together they created a deeply rooted Jewish home, raising four children and later welcoming many grandchildren. Though her early years were marked by loss, Gerda devoted her life to family, faith, and ensuring that the next generation would grow up with the education and opportunities she was denied.
Gerda’s remarkable journey—from a childhood overshadowed by war to a life rebuilt through resilience and love—stands as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the enduring importance of memory.