Ernest G. Heppner
Ernest G. Heppner was born in 1921 in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland). Heppner, who was Jewish, fled Nazi persecution with his family, eventually finding refuge in Shanghai, China. This city was one of the few places that accepted Jewish refugees without an entry visa during World War II. His experiences during this time form the basis of his memoir, 'Shanghai Refuge: A Memoir of the World War II Jewish Ghetto'.
After the war, Heppner immigrated to the United States where he continued his education and began a career that spanned various fields. He was deeply involved in community service and often spoke about his experiences during the Holocaust, aiming to educate others about the horrors of that time and the importance of tolerance and human rights.
Ernest G. Heppner's contributions to Holocaust literature provide a unique perspective on the life of Jewish refugees in Shanghai. His memoir not only recounts the hardships and challenges faced by these refugees but also highlights their resilience and the vibrant community they formed in the face of adversity. Heppner passed away in 2001, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy, education, and a detailed historical account of a lesser-known aspect of Jewish history during World War II.