Leo Rosner

Leopold "Leo" Rosner (June 26, 1918 – October 10, 2008) was a Polish-born Australian Jewish musician. Rosner survived the Holocaust in Nazi concentration camps during World War II by playing his accordion for Nazi guards and officials, earning the attention of Oskar Schindler who likely saved his life. His survival story became known after Australian author Thomas Kenneally's 1982 novel, Schindler's Ark, was adapted into Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning film, Schindler's List. He appeared in the epilogue of the film at the Schindler memorial in Yad Vashem, Israel.

Rosner was born in Kraków, Poland, in 1918. He was one of nine children within a family that performed in the music business.

Rosner was a successful cabaret artist and entertainer in Poland by the time Hitler launched his blitzkrieg and occupied the country in 1939. He and his wife, Helen Rosner, were deported separately to the Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp in 1943. While at Plaszow, Rosner was forced to perform his accordion for commandant Amon Goeth.

Rosner's talent with his accordion earned him the attention of Oskar Schindler. Schindler personally had Rosner moved to an enamelling factory in Brinnlitz, Czechoslovakia, in 1945. However, Rosner's wife, Helen, was transferred to the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp. Rosner was able to successfully persuade Schindler to have Helen Rosner removed from Auschwitz. The couple were reunited in Brinnlitz, where they remained until the end of World War II.

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