Death of Samuel Sandler

12/01/2024

We learn with great sadness the sudden death of Samuel Sandler, the father of Jonathan Sandler, professor of theology, and the grandfather of Arié and Gabriel (5 and 3 years old), murdered as well as Myriam Monsonego (8 years old) on 19 March 2012, in front of the Ozar-Hatorah Jewish school in Toulouse, during a jihadist attack.

Samuel Sandler was a companion of the first hour and a close friend of the Museum-Memorial of Terrorism's prefiguration mission, a project he supported with all his conviction. Member of our Orientation Observatory, first under the title of the French Association of Victims of Terrorism, then in his personal capacity, he was constantly present, attentive to the progress of the project, always in listening and exchange, demanding but benevolent. He was pleased that the future Museum-memorial could settle in an old school. He saw it as a strong symbol in the transmission of memory for which he worked tirelessly.

He intervened on numerous occasions in front of classes, notably in an Occitan high school on 26 January 2023, an institution that participates in the exhibition "Fighting Terrorism" carried out by students and posted on our website. He testified there, Remember our children, written in 2018 with Émilie Lanez, a text of great strength by its simplicity, staged with other testimonials by the Affabulary Company.

Samuel Sandler leaves the memory of a man of great gentleness and deep humanity, of a lively and alert mind despite the trials. The Museum-Memorial of Terrorism expresses its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.