GenShoah SWFL welcomes all 2gs, new and old members to participate

By Shelley Lieb and Ida Margolis

Many of you may have gone to summer camp or have been a camp counselor. One of the camp songs that people who attend remember after many years is “Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.” That lovely little song relates to GenShoah SWFL because we are so pleased to have heard from many individuals now interested in joining this group and we welcome them to become friends with our wonderful earlier members.

We hope that new and “old” members will participate in upcoming GenShoah activities, Museum events and related community programs. And we are looking forward to suggestions for new programs and ways to make a difference.

Second-generation groups have many purposes. That is why GenShoah SWFL has a multi-faceted mission: Promotion of Holocaust education and human rights, preservation of the history and memory of the Holocaust, connection of the second generation with one another and supporting the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center.

One does not have to be a 2g to be a member. The only requirement is to be interested in some aspect of the mission. Only a few programs are limited to 2gs only.

Annual GenShoah SWFL Potluck

Coming soon is the Annual GenShoah SWFL Potluck. This has been a very popular event hosted often by Shirley Besikof in her lovely social hall. This year, because of Hurricane Ian, the social hall is unavailable, and the potluck will be held at the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Due to the change in venue, the number of attendees will have to be limited and the menu altered, but this event will give people the opportunity to see old friends and make new ones, “silver and gold.”

Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb

If you are interested in attending, please email Shirley at shirleybesikof@ gmail.com. And please let her know what finger food (that does not require heating) or dessert you would like to bring. In addition, there will be a brief discussion of “By the Grace of the Game,” by Dan Grunfeld, the book sponsored by the Museum for the Jewish Book Festival. You don’t have to read the book to attend, but you might want to Zoom into Grunfeld’s discussion of the book at the JBF on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at noon.

Visit www.JewishBookFestival.org to sign up. If you want to read a different kind of Holocaust story, this is it. If you want to read a fascinating story about basketball, this is it. If you like stories about the American dream, this is it. If you like to read a very good book and you will want to tell people about, then, for sure, read “By the Grace of the Game,” and Zoom in to see the author. And remember, space is limited at the potluck.

Other upcoming events are listed below. If you are not currently receiving the GenShoah newsletter or if you have questions, please email genshoah@hmcec. org. Also, if you want to read stories that local 2gs have contributed about their parents, visit the Museum website, www.hmcec.org, and if you would like to contribute a story, contact Shelley at liebro@gmail.com.

Subscribe and read the GenShoah newsletter for much more information as well as the Yiddish Corner by Sol Awend.

Save the dates for these upcoming events

• GenShoah Annual Potluck Dinner Sunday, Dec. 18

See GenShoah above for details.

• Jewish Book Festival of Greater Naples will present some Holocaustrelated books. More information about the books and how to register can be found at www.jewishnaples.org.

• “By the Grace of the Game” With author Daniel Grunfeld Wednesday, Nov. 30 at noon on Zoom ** Sponsored by the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center. Choice for book discussion at GenShoah Potluck on Dec. 18.

• “The Letters Project” by Eleanor Reissa Monday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m. at Beth Tikvah and via Zoom

• “Overture of Hope” by Isabel Vincent Thursday, Jan. 12, 2 p.m. via Zoom

• “Nazi Drawings” at The Baker Museum Can be viewed until Feb. 19. Free tickets until Dec. 31 available at www.artisnaples.org.

• Book discussions at South Regional Library: (8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples) “The Christmas Menorahs” by Janice Cohn Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m. “Irena’s Children” by Tilar Mazzeo Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m. Registration Information TBA