Why so many days to commemorate the Holocaust?

from Federation Star - June 2023

Planning a summer to remember

By Shelley Lieb and Ida Margolis

There are many days on the calendar that commemorate historical events. What is the purpose of this? Some historians state that the importance of marking important events or people is to allow individuals to remember those who have gone before as well as to encourage people to think of the past and how the past can give lessons about how to have a better future. Others add that commemorations can contribute to the promotion of human rights.

The Jewish calendar has many dates of significance and poignancy, reflecting the long, rich and often difficult history of the Jewish people. Three Holocaust commemorations on Jewish calendars are Kristallnacht, International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Yom HaShoah. Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, in November, is often said to be the beginning of the Holocaust. It is when, in 1938, hundreds of synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses throughout Germany were destroyed.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan. 27, was designated by the United Nations. That date is the anniversary of the liberation of AuschwitzBirkenau by Soviet troops in 1945.

Each spring since 1951, Jews mark Yom HaShoah, the most solemn and painful commemoration of the year for most Jews. The Israeli Parliament selected the 27th day of Nissan for Yom HaShoah as that date is the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.

The Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center stated, “despite the passage of time, the excruciating pain of the Holocaust doesn’t lessen. The murder of 6 million Jewish men, women and children will forever remain a searing wound for us. Such is the magnitude of the tragedy; it will always haunt us.” Thus, the necessity many feel to have special dates to

commemorate Jewish victims, and nonJewish victims, of Nazi oppression, as well as to remember rescuers and liberators and those who have no relatives left to remember them.

Eli Wiesel said, “If the Holocaust is forgotten, the dead will be killed a second time.” Let us not be among those who will kill the dead a second time. And, hopefully, we will use these commemorations to motivate us to contribute to the promotion of human rights and help us think of ways we can help make a better future.

**Felicia Anchor (2G), Cheryl Alifeld (spouse), Yvonne Holtzman (2G) and Shirley Besikof (2G)**

This year, the annual Greater Naples Yom HaShoah Commemoration took place on April 17 at the new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center with over 250 people in attendance. A ceremony, including candlelighting and legacy reading, took place. Survivors, second, third and one member of the fourth generation participated, along with local rabbis and cantors. The ceremony was followed by a theatrical presentation of “Remember: The Story of Abe Price.” The play dramatized the life of late local Holocaust survivor Abe Price who escaped Nazi captivity five times, including having been imprisoned in Auschwitz-Birkenau. This production, presented by Gulf Shore Playhouse, poignantly sends Price’s message to "never forget.”

The Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties commemorated Yom HaShoah with a program featuring guest speaker Dr. Robert Hilliard, local clergy and a musical performance at Shell Point Retirement Community.

**Jeff Margolis (spouse) and Stuart Mest (2G)**

**Survivor Rob Nossen and Mark Livstone**

Prior to the Greater Naples Yom HaShoah commemoration, GenShoah SWFL sponsored a reception for Holocaust survivors and members.

Any children of Holocaust survivors or any individuals interested in the mission of GenShoah are welcome to become members and receive the GenShoah e-newsletter. Contact Shelley at liebro@gmail.com.