The question becomes: Who will be our Simon Wiesenthal now that he is gone?

The famed Nazi hunter and crusader for justice died in his sleep this week at age 96. Haunted by the fact that he somehow managed to survive the concentration death camps when so many did not, Wiesenthal devoted his life to hunting down Nazi war criminals and speaking out against neo-Nazism and racism.

More than that, he was our constant witness. When much of the world moved on after World War II, Wiesenthal remained on duty, reminding us of the horrors and insisting that they never be repeated.

His work was truly a testament to his courage. He understood he was but one person, but repeatedly showed us all that an individual can indeed make a difference.

Historians say Wiesenthal was responsible, in whole or in part, for helping to bring some 1,100 Nazi war criminals to justice.

But for Wiesenthal, it was not simply about settling scores. He was an outspoken critic of racism and anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it occurred. And he was particularly saddened, friends said, by deteriorating relations between Muslims and Jews.

Perhaps others will step forward to take on Wiesenthal's causes. Sadly, though World War II and the Nazi era is behind us, the hatred and intolerance that fueled such painful wartime atrocities remain. And Simon Wiesenthal's teaching is still sorely needed.