First One In, Last One Out: Auschwitz Survivor 31321

While growing up in New York, Marilyn Shimon often visited her uncle in California. She saw his scars, gaped at his “31321” tattoo, and listened to his horrific stories of the Holocaust. However, she could not relate to the suffering he endured or understand the significance of his accounts—until now.

In this grisly memoir, Marilyn resurrects Murray Scheinberg’s stories of six hellish years in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The Polish Jew was one of the first eight men to enter Auschwitz, as a political prisoner in 1940, and one of the last to escape Dachau.

Rejected by a publisher in the 1960s because of its incredible details, this true story, finally available to the public, will shock, horrify, and touch readers.

Abraham H. Foxman, national director emeritus at the Anti-Defamation League, says of the book: "First One In, Last One Out:Auschwitz Survivor 31321 is a harrowing tale of endurance, luck, egotism, and morality, one man's story of survival in the face of Nazi brutality and anti-Semitism. Murray Scheinberg’s memoir of survival through the Nazi Holocaust symbolizes man’s determination to live no matter the odds. But it also represents the degradation of the human spirit imposed on the Jews of Europe by the evil Nazi machine. It is both an uplifting tale and a sorry one about human nature in the face of evil.”

“A magnificent telling of a moving and heartfelt story.”

––Ira Hochman, Friendly Visitors Program/Holocaust Survivors

“I am moved to tears beyond what I can express. This is an exceptionally incredible story and the author's writing is extremely moving.The story is a testament of life and will teach future generations that good triumphs over evil.”

––Ruth Baran Gerold, child of Holocaust survivors

"The author brilliantly wrote about her uncle's life throughout the Nazi regime. She successfully engages the reader in the emotions and drama of this horrific period.This is a must-read-page turner."

––Larry Klass, Retired Veteran-US Army

"It is a powerful and compelling story that should be promoted in schools and read by all."

––Faye Kilstein, child of Auschwitz survivor

Marilyn Shimon is a Holocaust lecturer and volunteer gallery educator at the Museum of Jewish Heritage––A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, in New York.

A retired schoolteacher, Shimon has a certificate in Holocaust and genocide studies from the Jan Karski Institute for Holocaust Education at Georgetown University, a BA from NYU and an MA from Hofstra University. She earned a 2016 scholarship from the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies at Appalachian University. Shimon is an alumna of the Holocaust & Jewish Resistance Teachers’ program and participated in the 9th annual Charlotte and Jacques Wolf Educators’ conference with the Anti-Defamation League.

The mayor of Jerusalem recognized Shimon for her work as a volunteer soldier in the Yom Kippur War. She taught English and music in Israel.

Serving as a translator for the New York office of the Israel Ministry of Defense, she was involved in meetings leading up to the Camp David Accords.

Shimon lives in New York, where her son, Roy, is an attorney.