When Carol Ross reached New York Harbor in 1950, she felt a profound sense of liberation as a Holocaust survivor.
“That was America. New York symbolized America,” the vibrant Hungarian immigrant shared, reflecting on the beauty and meaning of the Statue of Liberty against the city’s skyline.
“I believed America was a land of new beginnings and opportunities.”
“New York has historically been welcoming to Jews. Safety was never a concern,” noted Ross, who recently turned 103.
However, things have shifted. After enduring some of history’s darkest moments, Ross now mourns the loss of security in her cherished city.
“This home, where I’ve lived for over 75 years, feels unrecognizable,” lamented the longtime Upper East Side resident.
“Living in New York is frightening right now. I’m genuinely worried about my city. Jewish and Israeli businesses are facing attacks and are being targeted. It’s alarming,” she said.
“Places of worship, including Park East Synagogue, where I attend, have been surrounded by hostile crowds.”
Ross criticized city leadership, saying, “The mayor isn’t backing measures to protect us from rioters,” referring to a newly passed buffer zone bill aimed at preventing protests near places of worship.
While Mayor Zoran Mamdani hasn’t taken a firm stance on the legislation, he acknowledged the significant concerns surrounding such limits on citizens’ rights.
“He’s a dangerous figure,” Ross remarked, attributing the hostile environment to the anti-Israel sentiments of the mayor.
Born Carola Santo, Ross was on her way to Auschwitz on a bullock cart before trains were destroyed.
Reflecting on the spike in anti-Semitism both globally and locally, Ross drew parallels to the events of March 1938, asserting, “This is reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s in Hungary.”
At that time, anti-Semitic laws severely restricted Jewish people, branding them as a racial group.
“Ultimately, my family and I were seized by the Nazis and forced into labor camps near Vienna,” she recounted.
“We survived through forced labor under terrible conditions for nine months, enduring starvation, little food, and no proper sanitation,” Ross remembered.
She recalled the fear of being shot for not obeying the Nazis, determined to survive and eventually released despite weighing only 85 pounds.
Remembering her sister Magda and her five children who perished in the gas chambers, Ross emphasizes that “never again” should be taken lightly.
“People didn’t believe it until it was too late, similar to how many are living in ignorance now,” she reflected. She has worked in the jewelry industry alongside her late husband, Joseph Roth, and has appeared in branding campaigns for her son Peter Thomas Roth’s skincare line.
A socialite at heart, she typically sleeps in and enjoys late-night gatherings, celebrating her birthday recently with a lavish party attended by many, including tennis legend Martina Navratilova.
Her grandson, Ryan Ross, attributes her longevity to her adaptability and willingness to explore new experiences, even as she maintains her love for fine dining.
“She’s always eager to try something novel. Aging is a common fear, yet she’s truly showing us what’s achievable,” he said.
When preparing for social events, Ross looks at herself in the mirror and confidently states, “I look gorgeous,” according to Ryan. “And she genuinely believes it. She’s strong-willed, but in a good way.”
However, the current hostility faced by Jews weighs heavily on her.
“The sad part is that while it’s a new experience for many, it’s not for her,” Ryan noted.
Ross remains a proud and vigilant Jew, irrespective of the circumstances.
“We’re easy prey. It’s frustrating to think that what begins with Jews doesn’t stay with us,” she reflected. “We must oppose evil. We can’t let evil triumph.”
