Discover the Remarkable Life Story of Holocaust Survivor David Wiener

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law awarded 98-year-old Holocaust survivor David Wiener an honorary juris doctor degree during a ceremony at the Brock House on the Malibu campus. The event not only recognized Wiener’s remarkable life and resilience but also celebrated his lifelong dedication to Holocaust education.

Though he survived the horrors of Auschwitz and several labor camps during World War II, as recounted in his memoir Nothing to Lose But My Life, Wiener’s parents and all but one of his siblings were killed by the Nazis. Wiener immigrated to the United States in 1946, where he built a thriving upholstery business. Alongside his wife, also a Holocaust survivor, he contributed to various charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Fontana, the US Holocaust Museum, and Hatzalah Israel. Wiener’s life of philanthropy and dedication to justice reflects the core values of Pepperdine, and the ceremony underscored the enduring importance of Holocaust remembrance.

“I want to thank each of you for being here and listening to my story,” Wiener said. “People need to remember—it’s important that we don’t forget. Too often, people forget, and the younger generations don’t always listen. It’s hard, but we have to face the truth to protect ourselves and others. I’m so grateful for all of you being here today.”

Learn more about Wiener and special ceremony on the University Newsroom.