By Erin Levi
FLUSHING, NY — Hanna Slome, a Holocaust survivor who escaped Nazi-occupied Europe through the Kindertransport, celebrated her 100th birthday this week surrounded by family, friends, and special guests — including U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens).
Slome was born on April 11, 1925, in Czechoslovakia and was among 669 children rescued in 1939 by Sir Nicholas Winton. She spent her teenage years in England before immigrating to the U.S. at 19 aboard a wartime freighter.
Congresswoman Meng visited Slome’s Flushing home to present her with a formal congressional proclamation and to declare April 11 as Hanna Slome Day throughout New York’s Sixth Congressional District.
After settling in Queens, Slome married, raised two children, and became deeply involved in local life, including Temple Gates of Prayer and the PTA at Junior High School 185, where she once served as president. She has also shared her Holocaust story with students across the borough.
Joining the celebration was Nick Winton, son of the late Sir Nicholas Winton, who flew in from England to honor the woman his father helped rescue.
“Hanna’s century of resilience and hope is an inspiration,” said Meng. “Her story will continue to touch hearts for generations.”
Meng has also recently championed legislation to expand Holocaust education and combat antisemitism in schools nationwide, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.