Local Holocaust Survivor Shelley Zeiger Dies

Local Holocaust survivor and entrepreneur Shelley M. Zeiger, who survived the Holocaust by hiding in a neighbor's home, passed away Sunday, Nov. 10, at the age of 78.

Zeiger, who grew up in Zborów, a town in eastern Poland, escaped—along with the rest of his family—after the Nazis occupied the town and turned it into a ghetto by hiding in their neighbor’s home for the duration of the Holocaust, according to a brief bio on the Zeiger Enterprises website. He later emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Moorestown.

Zeiger, who wrote a book about his experiences during the Holocaust titled The Wheel of Life, was also known as “Mr. Trenton” for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts in the city. He opened his first hotel, the Capitol Plaza Hotel, in Trenton in 1980 and is credited with convincing Marriott CEO J.W. “Bill” Marriott to bring his franchise to Trenton, according to the Trentonian. Prior to that, Trenton was the only capital city in the United States without a hotel.

The 78-year-old is also known for his many efforts to forge economic and cultural bridges between the U.S. and Russia, which he viewed as a way to thank the former Soviet Republic for liberating his family.

“Every day since April 1944 has been a gift to me,” he said. “Because my family and I were liberated by the Russians and because the United States gave us a home and freedom, I have tried to foster democracy and improve international relations through international development and cultural exchanges.”

Zeiger was a 43-year resident of Moorestown.

Helen Kirschbaum, director of the Goodwin Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Cherry Hill, estimated Zeiger was one of between 75-80 survivors left in South Jersey—that the museum knows of. He is the 13th Holocaust survivor in the region to die since April.

Zeiger often visited Goodwin to share his story with students, and Kirschbaum said one of the center's greatest fears is the loss of wisdom that accompanies the passing of Holocaust survivors.  

The lessons that can be gleaned from learning about the evil and destruction hate can wreak are invaluable, she said. "And there's no one that can explain that better than someone who has lived through it."

"He kept that period alive in the minds of young people," explained Ann-Linn Glaser, a friend of the Zeigers.

She said Zeiger, who was a founding member of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, was very much shaped by his experience during the Holocaust and it made him "a man of great generosity, of great enthusiasm for big ideas ... He was always giving back to the community."

David Weinstein, a Moorestown school board member, grew up down the street from the family and knew Zeiger for more than 30 years.

“For a man that went through so much, he gave to everyone … He just showed compassion to everyone,” said Weinstein. “He definitely left a mark on me, just being able to know him ... The world will definitely be missing a very bright light.”

Kirschbaum echoed Weinstein and Glaser: "(Zeiger) was so giving and so full of life. It showed when he talked to students, or community groups. I feel very lucky to have had the chance to know him."

Zeiger is survived by his wife, Marion; his children, Jeffrey (Natalya) Zeiger and Jennifer (Robert) Cameron; and grandchildren, Alexandra Zeiger, Corryn Cameron, Stacia Zeiger and Sierra Cameron. He was also the brother of Michael (Rochelle) Zeiger.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Platt Memorial Chapels Inc., 2001 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill. Relatives and friends are invited to visit beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Interment will take place at Crescent Memorial Park in Pennsauken. Shiva will be observed at Zeiger’s residence.