Renee Leeser Brandeis
Renee Leeser Brandeis was born on June 4, 1927 in Duisburg, Germany. She was raised in a Reform Jewish home and enjoyed a comfortable childhood until the Nazis came to power in 1933. In December 1941, Renee and her parents, Arnold and Ida Leeser, were deported to the Riga Ghetto in Latvia. She was subsequently separated from her parents and survived several labor and concentration camps, including Stutthoff and Stolp, as well as a death march, before being liberated by British forces on May 3, 1945.
On July 26, 1948, Renee immigrated to the United States. On February 21, 1952, she married Eric Brandeis, who was also born in Germany (Nuremberg), and had immigrated to the United States as a 9 year old boy. Eric served in the United States Army in World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery, and with his unit, liberated a number of concentration camps. Eric and Renee were married for over 61 years.
While raising her family, Renee also cultivated her artistic talents. She designed silver jewelry pieces, painted, and published “Deep Shadows” in 1989, a collection of her writings about the Shoah. Renee was also her son Clifford’s first employee when he started his law firm over 30 years ago serving as office manager and “Girl Friday.” Renee is the proud mother of two sons, Clifford (Sharon Schneier) and Charles (Kate Brandeis), and five grandchildren: Rachel (HS ‘13), Aaron (HS ‘16), Ben (HS ‘16), Henry and Emma.
