“The Happiest Man on Earth”

“This is my message, as long as I live, I’ll teach not to hate.” – Eddie Jaku OAM (1920-2021)

The late Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku leaves behind a powerful legacy from his 101 years – not only in what he experienced during the Holocaust but in the life he built after it. Eddie was a founding member of the Sydney Jewish Museum and later became a best-selling author of his memoir, The Happiest Man on Earth.

His messages of kindness resonated with hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, all across the world. He successfully encouraged teens to go home and hug their mothers, and convinced feuding families to reunite after years without contact. Eddie was married to his beloved wife, a Holocaust survivor named Flore, for 74 years, with whom he had two children, grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Flore, who lived to be 98, was a valued member of the Museum family from the beginning.

On what would have been Eddie’s 103rd birthday, we opened a tribute showcase honouring the life stories of Eddie and Flore at the Museum cafe. The exhibit explores their experiences in the Holocaust, their lives before and after, and Eddie’s journey to becoming an internationally famous author.

This exhibit is generously supported by Eddie and Flore’s sons, Michael and Andre Jaku.

Images: 1. Eddie and Flore Jaku, 1960. SJM collection. 2. The exhibit, 2023.