Son of a true hero, Kristallnacht commemoration and potluck

By Ida Margolis, GenShoah Chair

GenShoah SWFL, the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center and Catholic-Jewish Dialogue are working to make sure that annual programs will still be available to the community. Even though they cannot be presented in the usual manner, fortunately, they can be brought to you virtually.

Heroes, Heroines and Helpers

Last month, in the “Heroes, Heroines and Helpers” series, Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds was featured because of his heroism during WWII, when he risked his life to save Jewish POWs. Hear his son, Pastor Chris Edmonds, tell this riveting story, which is an ideal thing to do this Veteran’s Day. So, on Nov. 11 at 4 p.m., “tune” in to hear the story of a true hero, who is one of only five Americans who have been awarded the title “Righteous among the Nations,” Israel’s highest honor for non- Jews who risked their own lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Prior registration is required at HMCEC.org.

Kristallnacht Commemorative Service

The Annual Kristallnacht Commemorative Service will be presented at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 8. Kristallnacht is recognized as “the night the Holocaust began.” The commemoration will include a program, candle lighting and a guest speaker. For the Zoom link, please register at jewishnaples.org.

Annual Holiday Pot Luck

The GenShoah SWFL Annual Holiday Pot Luck and book discussion has been an opportunity not only for good food, but for GenShoah members to hear an interesting book discussion and socialize, greet old friends and meet new ones. This year, we will try to do all of those things at the Pot Luck—except you will have to prepare your own good food.

We will have a presentation of the beautiful and brilliant book, “Witness” by Ariel Burger, who was a student of Elie Wiesel. A hero in so many ways, Wiesel was a “treasure of humanity” and an extraordinary teacher. This book provides insights into Wiesel’s life and his classroom. You don’t have to read this book to enjoy the discussion, but you may want to. It has been called a “an insightful and winsome love letter,” a treasure, and a book that will turn the reader into one of Wiesel’s students. If you are a 2g, or a member of GenShoah, please join us at the virtual potluck on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. by making a reservation at HMCEC.org.

The GenShoah newsletter and Federation Star will be announcing future programs for the “Heroes, Heroines and Helpers” series. The variety of upcoming programs includes those that will feature local survivors and their rescuers. 2gs will have an opportunity to tell a story about a hero in their life.

If you would like more information about programs, joining GenShoah or wish to receive the GenShoah newsletter, contact Ida at genshoahswfl@ gmail.com. Some of the Zoom presentations are being recorded and will be available on the Museum’s You- Tube channel. To access them, search for Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center in YouTube or click on the link on the Museum’s website.

A reminder that GenShoah has asked for children of Holocaust survivors to help accept the responsibility of telling their parents’ stories. We have asked that the stories be written in the format below:

• 500-700 words

• Include appropriate geographical background

• Be certain that historical facts contained are accurate

• Include a personal highlight

• Include a photograph

The stories, which may be edited, will be available to the public and used for instructional purposes, in print and/or digital format, at the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center of Southwest Florida. They may also be printed in a book that can be a valuable keepsake. For more information, contact Rochelle at liebro@gmail.com.