The Upstander

Max Glauben’s story is a tale of courage, resilience, and defiance in the face of the worst kind of human cruelty. Jori Epstein’s compelling, compassionate, and intimate portrait commands not only our attention, but also our respect for a man who never surrendered his soul nor forgot what it means to be human. —Glenn Frankel, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Former Jerusalem Bureau Chief, The Washington Post
It’s not often that you’ll find a story so well-crafted as this that it captures the evil Max Glauben experienced in the Holocaust, while never losing sight of the goodness that animated his life well afterward. This is an important book that will ensure generations yet to be born will know—on a personal level—someone who survived history and spent a lifetime opening the hearts of others. —Brendan Miniter, Editorial Page Editor, The Dallas Morning News
I was nervous about reading Max’s memoir, because I was afraid it couldn’t possibly convey the hope and resilience that ‘our’ Max inspires when he shares his testimony at the museum. As I cautiously started reading, I soon realized my fears were unfounded, and before I knew it, I had finished the book with tears in my eyes. They were tears of gratitude that Jori had so lovingly and accurately captured the essence of Max—his history, his complexity, the twinkle in his eye, and his singular devotion to making the world a better place. Max embodies the definition of being an upstander, and I am grateful that he will continue to teach generations to come, not only through his interactions with our museum visitors in our Dimensions in Testimony Theater, but also through his memoir. Max inspires all of us who have the joy of working with him at the museum to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference, and I know he will inspire all who read this book, as well. Together, we can honor Max’s legacy by being upstanders! —Mary Pat Higgins, President and CEO, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum 
This story reminds us that the arc of the moral universe does not bend toward justice on its own. It is pulled in that direction by resilient humans like Max Glauben. The Upstander is required reading for the brave souls who have enlisted in the war against hate. —Daron K. Roberts, Founding Director, University of Texas Center for Sports Leadership & Innovation
A famous Jewish proverb tells us, ‘Acquire for yourself a teacher.’ I can proudly say Max Glauben has been my teacher. Max has taught me so many lessons about life, but most of all, he has taught me how to move forward without vengeance, how to remember without hatred, and how to be an upstander without anger. Read his story and you too will acquire the most profound and meaningful teacher you could imagine. —Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Director of Jewish Enrichment, BBYO International 
From the gates of Auschwitz to classrooms across Texas, Max Glauben has spent decades channeling the most excruciating memories of his past into messages of resilience, forgiveness, and hope. Through The Upstander, Jori Epstein ensures no details from Max's story are lost to the passage of time. Those of us whose lives have already been changed by Max are that much more fortunate now that Jori and Max’s bond is culminating in this remarkable book. —Rachel Siegel, Reporter, The Washington Post and author of Stories of Moral Courage in the Face of Evil
"This book stands as a tes­ta­ment to the courage and char­ac­ter of Max Glauben, hon­or­ing the mem­o­ry of his fam­i­ly and his hope for a bet­ter world for future generations." —Jewish Book Council