Maria Rosenbloom

Maria Rosenbloom (b. December 26, 1918 – d. October 27, 2011) was a distinguished social worker, Holocaust survivor, and scholar recognized for her expertise in Holocaust studies. Throughout her career, she worked to preserve the memory of those who were murdered in the Holocaust, educate future generations, and support survivors through her social work practice.
==Early Life and Holocaust Experience==
Born in Kolomyia, Poland (now Ukraine), Maria Rosenbloom grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family. As a young woman, she and her family were directly affected by the Nazi regime's policies. During the war, Rosenbloom endured the horrors of the Holocaust, surviving the atrocities of the displacement, and the loss of many family members. This experience shaped her future work and commitment to social justice and Holocaust education.
==Education and Career==
Rosenbloom received her academic training at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, L'viv, Ukraine in 1936. She specialized in modern Polish Literature. 
After the War, Rosenbloom emigrated to the United States. In 1950, Rosenbloom earned her MSW degree from Adelphi University School of Social Work. Her work in social services focused on trauma, resilience, and helping Holocaust survivors rebuild their lives in the post-war period.
Her expertise as a Holocaust survivor and scholar gave her a unique perspective on issues of trauma, memory, and social justice. Throughout her career, she was a speaker and lecturer, sharing her personal story and historical insights with audiences worldwide.
==Contributions to Holocaust Studies==
From 1962 until 1989, she was a faculty member at the Hunter College School of Social Work, now the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
Her scholarship included peer-reviewed works such as Implications of the Holocaust for Social Work (1983); The Holocaust Survivor in Late Life (1985); Lessons of the Holocaust for mental health practice (1988); Revisiting our heritage: Implications of the Holocaust for social work (1995); Implications of the Holocaust for Social Work (1995); “Lost Childhood”—Lessons from the Holocaust: Implications for Adult Adjustment (2000). Her scholarship were widely cited and used in academic courses on the Holocaust and trauma studies. Rosenbloom frequently emphasized the importance of oral history in understanding the personal dimensions of the Holocaust, conducting numerous interviews with fellow survivors to document their experiences.
Her relationship with her friend and colleague Blanca Rosenberg is documented in Rosenberg’s book – To tell at last: Survival under a false identity, 1941-1945.
==Advocacy and Legacy==
In addition to her academic work, Rosenbloom was a lifelong advocate for Holocaust survivors. She worked extensively with organizations such as the Red Cross and the United Jewish Appeal to provide support and services for survivors, particularly in addressing issues related to mental health, trauma, and resettlement.
Rosenbloom’s advocacy extended beyond Holocaust survivors. She also focused on broader human rights issues, genocide, social justice, and the fight against anti-Semitism. Her work has left a lasting legacy, particularly in Holocaust education, social work, and trauma studies.
==Death and Commemoration==
Maria Rosenbloom passed away in 2011 at the age of 93. Her contributions to Holocaust scholarship and survivor advocacy continue to influence scholars, social workers, and activists. Various institutions have honored her memory, including the establishment of the Maria Rosenbloom Memorial Lecture Series at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and the Maria Rosenbloom Genocide Studies Collection: The Rosenbloom Collection which focuses on trauma, genocide, memory, and social justice.
Category:1918 births
Category:2011 deaths
Category:Social workers
Category:Holocaust survivors
Category:People from Kolomyia
Category:Ukrainian people