12
Federation Star
COMMUNITY FOCUS
December 2020
Many survivors say stop comparing coronavirus to the Holocaust What do 2gs have to say? Let’s find out. By Ida Margolis, GenShoah Chair
Ida Margolis GenShoah Chair
L
ast April, only a few weeks into the pandemic, some people and media sources were comparing the coronavirus quarantine to Anne Frank hiding in an attic for years during WWII. At that time, “NJ.com” interviewed a number of Holocaust survivors in New Jersey, including “hidden child,” award-winning Holocaust educator and part-time Southwest Florida resident Maud Dahme. Although New Jersey was a “hot spot” under lockdown at that time, Dahme said she was grateful to be alive and not worry “about someone knocking on the door to take me away.” She continued “Yes, there are many inconveniences, but we’re here and we’re free.” Another survivor, Rosalie Simon, who lives in a large complex that had a reported a number of COVID-19 deaths, said, “It’s a bad situation, but not equal to the Holocaust… there’s no evil here, only tragedy. Obey the rules. Stay home.”
Early during the pandemic, Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey recognized that Holocaust survivors have a unique perspective on the current situation and started weekly online Zoom meetings, titled “Resilience During Challenging Times: Testimonies That Provide Hope.” During the meetings, survivors gave advice on living through a crisis. The Director of the Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, Gail Rosenthal, said of the survivors, “They are role models for us. They are role models of resilience.” Now, months later, it would be interesting to speak to survivors. Just recently, I did have the opportunity to speak with Dahme, and even months later, she said she still feels the same way. “We just need to be grateful and realize how fortunate we are,” she said. From speaking to a number of people, it seems that the survivors’ perspective on dealing with challenges would be encouraging to others. I was asked if children of survivors have unique perspectives in dealing with difficult and challenging situations as well, and how they are dealing with the current situation. I have read only one article on this topic, “COVID-19: Conversations with 2gs,”
ISRAEL ADVOCACY COMMITTEE OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER NAPLES
PRESENTS:
posted by clinical psychologist Irit Felsen. In previous years, we could get together to discuss this topic. By using Zoom technology, we still can. An ideal time to start this conversation can be at the Annual Pot Luck, which will be virtual this year. After a brief presentation about Ariel Burger’s award-winning insightful and beautiful book “Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom,” those who are Zooming in can meet in chat rooms. It will be interesting to find out if there Maud Dahme with Ida Margolis are themes that resonate in the Castellanos will be presented by The past months. Holocaust Museum at its virtual luncheon If you are a 2g, or a member of Genon Dec. 10. More information is available Shoah and are interested in chatting or at HMCEC.org just listening, please join us virtually on If you would like to receive the newsSunday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m. by making a letter or want additional information reservation at HMCEC.org. about GenShoah SWFL, email me at The GenShoah newsletter and Federagenshoahswfl@gmail.com. tion Star will announce future GenShoah A reminder that GenShoah is asking and Holocaust Museum programs, children of Holocaust survivors to tell including one on Feb. 24 with Maud their parent’s stories. The stories need Dahme and other “hidden children” only be 500-700 words, but should follow as well other programs in the “Heroes, a certain format. For more information, Heroines and Helpers” series. In fact, a contact Rochelle at liebro@gmail.com. fascinating hero story about Jose Arturo
COME DYNALISTEN TO CONVMIC DUO THE ERSAT IN ION!
“WHAT CAN WE EXPECT NOW IN THE MIX OF USA, ISRAEL & THE MIDDLE EAST STATES?”
AMBASSADOR DENNIS ROSS & DAVID MAKOVSKY AMBASSADOR DENNIS ROSS
DAVID MAKOVSKY
Ambassador Dennis Ross is Counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Prior to returning to the Institute in 2011, he served two years as special assistant to President Obama and National Security Council senior director for the Central Region, and a year as special advisor to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
David Makovsky is the Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Project on Arab-Israel Relations. He is also an adjunct professor in Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In 2013-2014, he worked in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of State, serving as a senior advisor to the Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations.
Ambassador/special advisor for multiple US administrations on the Middle East Peace Process
Office of the U.S. Secretary of State, serving as a senior advisor to the Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations, Former Editor of the Jerusalem Post.
Everyone is invited to join us on Zoom to hear Ross & Makovsky in conversation!
, DEC. 7 2020 7:00PM EST. MONDAY Cost: $10 per household Register online: www.jewishnaples.org or click the link in our weekly eblasts
Q&A afte r!
OF GREATER NAPLES
