A closer look at GenShoah-SWFL

By Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb

In our last column, we were all about starting anew, gathering information and recruiting members. We’re about recruiting for a number of reasons: 1) our area continues to welcome new residents; 2) some 2Gs (children of Holocaust survivors) make a decision to find out more about their family history; 3) the birth of grandchildren can affect a person’s perspective on both the past and the future; 4) and people talking to people.

You are welcome to join us, even if you are not technically a 2G but want to find out more about the legacy of that historical event or participate in the programs put together by GenShoah-SWFL. Most programs are open and advertised through the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center’s website (https:// hmcec.org/), the Federation Star and local synagogues.

As GenShoah-SWFL gets running again, we pulled together a committed group to form a coordinating committee. From this group, we gathered information about priorities for now and the near future. What emerged from this discussion was definitely informative.

Among the chords commonly struck was the issue of antisemitism in our community. Since the recent incidents of antisemitic leaflets dropped in various neighborhoods, this was not unexpected. Our local Jewish leaders and law enforcement agencies have expressed disdain for the events, indicating investigations are under way. Since this scenario occurred around the country, it appears a national organization is the cause. Many news outlets covered this sad story and then, it goes away until the next incident happens.

The question that remains is, “What can we do as individuals to combat these incidents of hate mongering?” Many people saw these leaflets. Some were just tossed away. Some were turned in to law enforcement. Isn’t there something that each individual could actually do? Is there an action that signals a “not in my community” response? Maybe we could publicly shred the leaflets. It is a topic worth exploring.

Another potent topic is fighting the distortion of Holocaust history. “We are the living connection,” said one of the comments.

There are a number of GenShoah- SWFL involvements at the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center in Naples that tackle this topic and should be strengthened. A few years ago, a call was put out to all 2Gs to write a narrative about their parents’ experience in the Holocaust. There are 14 stories now posted on the Museum’s website. These stories are enhanced with archival pictures and artifacts to become a platform for 2Gs to speak publicly about their family’s Holocaust history, bringing real, lived history to replace distortion.

Just this summer, two Collier County educators and a Florida doctoral student were included on an educator’s Holocaust training study trip to Europe. They will bring visual and historical reality to replace distortion. These teachers’ experiences will have an impact on their students, their colleagues and the Greater Naples community.

If you have Yiddish in your past (or not), GenShoah-SWFL is inviting you to join Sol Awend and Felicia Anchor in the near future. They are putting together a Yiddish group that will meet at the Museum. Did you notice the Yiddish that Sol has shared in this very newspaper? More information to come on this topic.

Local events

The following are a few local events of interest:

Movies That Matter-Steve Brazina Memorial Film Series, Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9. https://hmcec.org/

Kristallnacht Commemoration Collier County, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom, 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples. Reservations not needed

Kristallnacht Commemoration Lee County, Thursday, Nov. 10, 4-6 p.m. at Shell Point Tribby Center, 13921 Shell Point Plaza, Ft. Myers http://www. jewishfederationlcc.org/jewish-federationof-lee--charlotte-counties-event-calendar/ kristallnacht-we-remember

David Nelson Lecture Series at HMCEC, Starts Nov. 15, noon-1 p.m. https://hmcec.org/

The Luncheon, Wednesday, Dec. 7, featuring author/actor Tom Dugan and his play “Weisenthal.” https://hmcec.org/

GenShoah Annual Potluck Dinner, Sunday, Dec. 18. More information to come

Jewish Book Festival of Greater Naples presents some Holocaust-related books. www.jewishnaples.org

• “Coco at the Ritz” by Giola Diliberto – Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. via Zoom

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

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

Book Discussions at South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples; registration information TBA.

• “The Christmas Menorahs” by Janice Cohn – Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.

• “Irena’s Children” by Tilar Mazzeo – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.