On February 5, 2025 Chabad of SCV presented a special program entitled Survival Through Song at the Newhall Family Theatre, and Santa Clarita had the opportunity to hear from Saul Dreier, a 100-year-old Holocaust survivor whose passion for music helped him endure the horrors of World War II.

The event, moderated by Rabbi Choni Mazorov, gave Saul a platform to share his incredible story — one of survival, resilience, and the enduring power of music. Saul was joined by clarinetist Jaime Bronstein and members of Mostly Kosher for an evening of music and remembrance.

Born in Poland in 1925, Saul’s childhood was cut short when World War II erupted in 1939. He survived life in the ghetto and later worked in Oskar Schindler’s famed factory. Eventually, he was deported to Mauthausen, Gusen, and Linz — three brutal concentration and labor camps. Through unimaginable suffering, one thing remained constant: his love for music.

“We didn’t have anything to eat, but when we heard music, it made us come alive,” Saul recalls.

That passion never faded. After retiring in 1999, Saul rediscovered his calling. At 80 years old, he founded the Holocaust Survivor Band, a group of fellow survivors and their children dedicated to spreading joy and keeping history alive through music. Since then, the band has performed worldwide — from Auschwitz to Israel to stages across the United States– proving that even in the face of darkness, music can be a beacon of hope.

To learn more about Saul and the Holocaust Survivor Band visit sauldreier.com