Murray Ebner

Murray Ebner, age 87, passed away on November 8, 2015 born Moinyak “Moishe” Ebner on September 20, 1928 in Wischniz Nowy, Poland. He is preceded in death by his parents, Herschel Tzvi and Feigel Ebner; brothers, Avrom, Zeisha and Nuta Ebner, who all perished in the Holocaust; brothers-in-law, Alvin Ruben and Bernard Ruben, sister-in-law Ethel Ruben. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sylvia Ebner; daughters, Lisa and Cynthia; son, Mark (Nicole); grandchildren, Gayle, Aaron and Jared Rosen and Zachary, Julian and Sabrina Ebner; in-laws Sol Ruben of Pittsburgh, and Fay Ruben, Florine Ruben and cousin, Stanley Maybruck and family. Murray was the sole survivor of his family. He survived four years of Nazi enslavement by working in four different sub-camps of Auschwitz from age 13 to 17. In the spring of 1945, he was forced on a death march out of Birkenau. After hiding in a barn he was able to escape the Nazis along with three others from a group of about 150. Murray emigrated to the United States in 1947, where he would eventually live with distant relatives in Springfield, OH. On Murray’s 22nd birthday he was drafted into the US Army for the Korean Conflict, where he served for 2 years in Germany protecting the Germans from the Russians. Murray began Ebner Properties, a real estate management and development company in 1970. He devoted much of his time to his family and many philanthropic endeavors where he has received many awards and accolades, some of which include: serving 2 terms as President of Congregation Agudas Achim, President, VP and Treasurer of Wexner Heritage Village, on the Boards of Columbus Torah Academy, ADL Regional Board, Columbus Jewish Historical Society and the CMHA Ad-Hoc Committee, member of Congregation Torat Emet, Congregation Beth Jacob and Congregation Ahavas Sholom. He helped establish the Ebner Family Foundation for Jewish Family Service and Ebner-Ruben Wing at Wexner Heritage House. He developed an Emmy award winning documentary “A Survivor’s Journey” and wrote a biography “Chosen for Reason’s Unknown, A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey.” Murray felt is was “his responsibility to bear witness. This is why G-d saved me.” Murray spoke to thousands of high school students throughout central Ohio throughout the past couple of decades. He was always positive, smiling and endearing; he will truly be missed. Family extends their deep appreciation to Bobby Weiss for all his help, care and concern and to Minerva Lassie and her staff for their excellent care.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 9 at Congregation Torat Emet, 2375 E. Main St. with Rabbi Howard Zack officiating. Burial will follow at the New Agudas Achim Cemetery. Shiva will be observed during the week of November 9th at 68 Preston Rd. Columbus, Ohio at the following times: Monday through Thursday 8-10 a.m and 4-7 p.m. Friday 8-10 a.m and Saturday 7:30-9:30 p.m. Shiva will conclude following morning services on Sunday at 8 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Columbus Torah Academy, 181 Noe Bixby Rd., Columbus 43213 and the Holocaust Education Fund at the Columbus Jewish Foundation in his memory. A copy of his biography “Chosen for Reasons Unknown” can be purchased online at Amazon.com.