Alex Steinberg was born April 10, 1920 in a small town in Czechoslovakia, now located in Ukraine. His remarkable life includes surviving numerous near-death experiences.

“There was one officer who didn't like him so he threw a hand grenade at my dad and it bounced and killed two people next to him," said Steinberg.

What You Need To Know

  • Alex Steinberg grew up in the small town of Bilke, Czechoslovakia, which is now Ukraine

  • Steinberg narrowly escaped death several times, surviving a hand grenade and prison

  • Steinberg met his wife on a train to Belgium after World War II and they eventually moved to Washington Heights

His son, Rabbi Sam Steinberg, paid homage to his father on his 102nd birthday Sunday.

He said his father has always stayed positive, despite the difficult life he led during World War II.

“He deserves the recognition. He’s an optimist. That’s why he’s here,” said Steinberg's son. 

Steinberg spent three-and-a-half years at Jewish labor camp in Hungary. He knows how to speak five languages, which worked to his advantage during the war.

“I speak Jewish, Hungarian, English, Russian and Czech," said Steinberg.

German officers used him as a translator. One day, heading back to the labor barracks, a German officer took out a machine pistol and told Steinberg he was going to shoot him. But an unbelievable coincidence saved his life.

“I have to shoot you, but first let me know your name," said Sam. "So my dad said, ‘Steinberg.’ And the officer said, ‘Show me your ID card.’ And my dad showed it to him. And he said, ‘I can’t shoot you because my name is Steinberg.’”

Alex narrowly escaped death several more times before the war ended in 1945. Afraid to return to his home country, he moved to the only place in Europe that was welcoming Jewish immigrants at the time, Belgium. On the train ride to Brussels, Steinberg would meet his future wife.

“We stayed together 54 years," said Alex.

Alex and his wife Helen eventually moved to Washington Heights to raise a family, before relocating to Staten Island. He worked as a tailor, and often performed “mitzvahs” or good deeds for his neighbors. Steinberg’s son says it’s his eternal optimism that’s kept him going for more than a century.

“His theory was, ‘They tried to kill us, we survived. Let’s enjoy life.’ And that’s why he’s here at 102," said Sam.

And to mark this major milestone, the Staten Island Borough President declared April 10, 2022 as Alex Steinberg Day.