Nathan Elbaum

Madison- Nathan Elbaum passed away on January 18, 2017. He was born in Warsaw, Poland on August 19, 1929 into a close and loving family. Neither his father, Leon and mother, Justine Elbaum, survived the World War II. Nathan was 10 when the war began in Poland. He lived in the Warsaw Ghetto with his family until 1945 when his building was set aflame by the German soldiers. He, with his grandfather, his two brothers, were gathered at Umshlagplatz and taken to Maidonik. When offered the chance to go to another camp, Nathan chose to be transferred to Auschwitz-Birkinau. He convinced his older brother, Marcel, to go with him, thus saving their lives, since the Jews in maidonik were liquidated shortly thereafter. He spent 16 months in Birkinau before being transferred to series of camps. He was finally liberated in a sub-camp of Matthausen near Linz.
Upon liberation, he "took" a bicycle and left with two Greek prisoners (with whom he had no common language). He found an empty apartment to spend his first night. He ended up in Linz the next day, where member of the Jewish Brigade eventually found him and convinced him to join them in Italy to recover and train to go to what would eventually become Israel. While in Italy, he lived in a facility in the mountains not far from Bergamo. Through contacts with an uncle in Brazil he located his family in Paris. On being invited to join his uncle in Paris, he left Italy and travelled to Paris where he lived for six years. While in Paris, he became a regular at the public libraries, learned impeccable French, taught himself to swim, and indulged in what would be a life-long passion for cinema, history, and literature.
While in Paris, he discovered that his brother was still alive, and also made contact with his paternal uncle who encouraged him to come to New York. Shortly after arriving in New York, he was drafted into the US Army, where he was in basic training during the waning days of the Korean conflict. Due to his language skills, he was sent to be in the occupation forces in Germany. He became a US Citizen in Frankfurt am Main.
Returning from his tour of duty, he chose to go to California, where he enrolled as a student at Santa Monica City College and continued to earn a BA from UCLA. He then spent a year studying languages at the University of Mexico before returning to New York.
His career in public assistance started in New York City where he met his wife, Louise. They enjoyed the vitality of the City and Nathan's natural vivacious nature led them on many adventures. Nathan was particularly proud that he participated in the March on Washington in August 1963. He was always attentive to the basic humanity of all people, always interested in the lives that people led and interested in exploring new places.
Nathan did not care to be labelled as a "survivor" because he thought that made people prejudge him. Most people knew Nathan as an intellect, a kind person, a great father, and a wonderful friend. His memory will be cherished by his immediate family--Louise, Mike, and Phillip--by the good friends and neighbors who have enjoyed many sessions talking about books with him, even by the staff at restaurants and stores he frequented who enjoyed his unflagging interest in their lives. We will miss his garrulousness. His kindness, and the optimism with which he faced many of life's challenges.
His family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors who have helped make Nathan comfortable as he approached the end of his life. Special thanks go to Dr. Elizabeth Trowbridge and Carl Silverman, to Agrace Hospice, to our neighbors Drs. Rob and Kari Hegeman and Cindy Ofstead and Taylor Elkins and their families, and to Francie Saposnik and Jewish Social Services for caring and organizing beyond the call of duty.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434