About Herman Kahan
Lived 1926 – 2020 (aged 93). Herman Kahan was a Norwegian autobiographer and businessperson.
Herman Kahan (born Chaim Hersh Kahan; 15 February 1926 – 13 February 2020) was a Romanian-born Norwegian businessman, rabbi, Jewish family in Sighet, Romania. Elie Wiesel was among his childhood friends.
Postwar After the war Kahan moved to Paris and planned to go to the United States. He supported himself by selling knitwear he produced with knitting machines.
His autobiography, Ilden og Lyset (English: The Fire and the Light), with a foreword by Elie Wiesel, was published in 1988 and published in English in 2006.
Personal Kahan married a Jewish woman Ester Dante whom he met in Norway. He had five adult children and had grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of his children is the actress and singer Bente Kahan.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Herman Kahan?
Holocaust survivor (1926-2020)
When was Herman Kahan born?
Herman Kahan was born on 15 February 1926 in Sighetu Marmației.
When did Herman Kahan die?
Herman Kahan died on 13 February 2020.
What was Herman Kahan's occupation?
Herman Kahan was an autobiographer and businessperson.
What nationality was Herman Kahan?
Herman Kahan was Norwegian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Herman Kahan. https://biography.guide/herman-kahan/
MLA: "Herman Kahan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/herman-kahan/.
Chicago: "Herman Kahan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/herman-kahan/.
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