Leon Bone

Leon Bone (also known as Leon Herscu) was a physician and humanitarian.
==Early life and education==
Leon Bone Herscu was born on July 30, 1911, in Iași|Iasi, the capital of Moldavia, which is now part of Romania. He was the middle child of a middle-class Jewish family consisting of his mother Rivke and his father Yacov. He had two sisters, Betty and Matilda.
Leon's older sister, was killed along with her husband in the Holocaust during World War II.
Leon graduated from high school, where he learned several languages. After graduating in physics, chemistry, and natural sciences in Rouen, France, Leon became a graduated surgeon in Bologna, Italy, in 1937. He returned to Romania to validate his medical degree in 1938.
==Medical career and World War Il==
In 1940, World War II began and Leon, along with his family, suffered the consequences of the anti-Semitism prevailing in Romania. In addition to being deported and working as a military doctor in concentration camps, Herscu had an active participation in the fight against Nazi persecution.
After the Iasi pogrom in 1941, thousands of Jews were deported in what became known as "death trains." Herscu, with the help of other doctors and nurses, managed to stop one of these trains and provide medical care to the Jews on board. His work allowed many lives to be saved that would otherwise have perished on the way to extermination camps.
In addition, thanks to his experience as a Romanian military doctor, Herscu was able to save his own family from deportation to concentration camps. Although he was demoted for being Jewish, his medical training allowed him to obtain a position in the Romanian military administration, which gave him access to resources and contacts that allowed him to protect his family.
In summary, Leon Bone Herscu not only worked tirelessly as a doctor in concentration camps during World War II but also actively fought against Nazi persecution and managed to save the lives of his own family thanks to his medical knowledge and ability to navigate difficult situations.
In 1941, Leon married Raia Magarici de Bone, and in 1946 their daughter Ressy was born. In 1947, the family emigrated from Romania to Israel, but they were captured and interned in a concentration camp under British command in Cyprus. In 1948, they were released and arrived in Israel. In Israel, Leon validated his medical degree and practiced medicine until 1955.
==Contributions to Society==
Once established in Venezuela, Leon Bone Herscu dedicated his medical career to helping the community in various ways. Although he initially did not speak Spanish, he made an effort to learn the language and eventually passed the revalidation exam at the University of Los Andes in 1958.
Herscu established his own medical practice in Caracas and provided free medical care to elderly and economically disadvantaged individuals. In addition, he co-founded the Center for Elderly Assistance in Venezuela (CAAV) with his friend, Dr. Paolo Carrielo, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical and social services to elderly people in need.
Herscu also excelled in the field of geriatrics and studied this specialty in several countries, including Romania, Israel, Switzerland, and France. With his vast experience and knowledge, he helped improve the quality of life of many elderly people in Venezuela and promoted awareness of the importance of caring for and respecting older people in society.
In summary, Leon Bone Herscu's contributions to Venezuelan society were significant and enduring, and his legacy of humanitarianism and dedication to the community continues to inspire many people around the world.
Herscu spoke several languages, including Hebrew, Yiddish, Romanian, French, Greek, Latin, German, Spanish, and Italian.
==Death==
In addition to his humanitarian legacy, Leon Bone Herscu also left a significant intellectual legacy in the medical and humanitarian fields. Herscu was a prolific writer and left numerous essays and articles on medical and humanitarian topics.
He also wrote a book, which was dedicated to his daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. This book is a collection of writings that Herscu had compiled during his life and was intended to pass on his wisdom and experience to future generations.
In addition, Herscu was the subject of many articles in Venezuelan newspapers, which highlighted his work and dedication to the medical and humanitarian community in Venezuela. The newspapers praised him for his work in providing free medical care for the elderly and economically disadvantaged, as well as for his efforts in creating the Center for Elderly Assistance in Venezuela (CAAV).
Herscu died on July 1, 1993, in Caracas, Venezuela, at the age of 81. 
Category:1911 births
Category:People from Iași
Category:Romanian people
Category:Physicians
Category:Humanitarians
Category:1993 deaths