Holocaust Survivor Morris Bendit

Morris Bendit, now of Jacksonville, was an infant in 1941 when his family was forcibly transferred to Transnistria, a territory in Ukraine designated for the annihilation of Jews. Morris, his mother, and two other women in his family survived. 

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m., Bendit and two others present historical and first-hand accounts of the Holocaust. The Chabad of St. Augustine, 3440 US 1, Suite #401, hosts the event.

The Evening

• Jen Sandler-Steinshouer, a Holocaust Educator from the JLD Jewish Family and Community Services, provides archival and historical context about the Holocaust. 
• Suzie Becker, the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, offers a reflection of her family's history.
• Morris Bendit offers his story of tragedy, survival, and hope.

Morris Bendit

After their rescue, Bendit and his mother, grandmother, and aunt moved to Israel in 1949, where Bendit served in the Israeli Navy. He moved to Canada and from there to New York City, where he met his wife, and raised three daughters. The Bendits have lived in Jacksonville for more than 30 years. His determination to share his memories led to the creation of the Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery at the LJD Jewish Family & Community Services Headquarters in Jacksonville.

Event Details

Admission: Free, donations accepted.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Chabad of St. Augustine, 3440 US 1, Suite 401, St. Augustine, Florida, 32086

Photo

The photo of Bendit in front of the memorial he designed is by photographer Brandi Hill.