Born into a Hasidic Jewish family in 1925, Szymon witnessed the devastating impacts of the Holocaust firsthand. He survived several concentration camps, including Blechhammer and Buchenwald, marking him as a poignant symbol of resilience and remembrance. After the war, against the wishes of his surviving family, Szymon returned to Oświęcim in 1962, living alone in his family home adjacent to the Oświęcim Synagogue.
Throughout his later years, Szymon became a guardian of Jewish memory in a town haunted by its past. His home, filled with personal memorabilia and situated beside the restored synagogue, became a focal point for those seeking to connect with the Jewish life that once flourished in Oświęcim. Szymon’s dedication to preserving his heritage transformed his residence into a living museum, encapsulating the enduring spirit of the Jewish community.