Sharing and remembrance

from Federation Star - April 2023

Another amazing Chabad at FGCU month ﬂew by

By Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb

Many of the 2G members of GenShoah SWFL have been willing to share the stories of their parents. New members who attended the Welcome Brunch told the stories to those in attendance as did those who attended the annual Our Stories. This year, in addition to the stories, members shared meaningful family photos. Even though every story is different, there is a commonality and special bond when shared.

In addition to telling the stories of our parents who lived through a most horrific time, another way to share these important stories is to write them so that they will be preserved. Many 2Gs have already written their parent’s stories, which are posted on the Holocaust Museum website (hmcec.org). Any local 2Gs who would like to write their stories and have them posted can do so. And, if help is needed, contact Shelley at liebro@gmail.com.

Sharing requires remembering, something that is often not easy but, in reference to the Holocaust, is an imperative. “Memory is what shapes us. Memory is what teaches us. We must understand that’s where our redemption is,” said Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig of the Washington Hebrew Congregation. “Days of Remembrance is an opportunity for us to remember the suffering that was and the efforts that were made to put an end to such suffering, and it’s a call to conscience today in our world to make sure that we aren’t the silent ones standing by, contributing to the suffering of others.”

According to genocide prevention educator Bridget Conley-Zilic, we can honor those who suffered and died in the Holocaust by not being silent. Remembering ties the past to the present, bringing them together.

“We owe it, not only to the living, to remember the killing of 6 million Jews during the Nazi Holocaust, but to those who died as well. To forget the dead is akin to killing them a second time,” said Ellie Wiesel.

Remember Wiesel’s words and remember the victims, survivors of the Holocaust and the rescuers at our community Yom HaShoah Commemoration of April 17, 7 p.m., at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. (see page 5A for more information and to RSVP).