Rock Legend Geddy Lee to Speak at Greenspon Center’s Holocaust Remembrance Event

Charlotte Jewish News, December 2024

By Mary Eshet

The Stan Greenspon Holocaust and Social Justice Education Center will host rock legend Geddy Lee for a community commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Best known as the lead vocalist and bassist of the iconic rock band Rush, Lee, born Gershon Eliezer Weinrib, brings a deeply personal perspective to this remembrance: his parents, Mary and Morris Weinrib, were Holocaust survivors who endured Auschwitz, and he is the descendent of many others who did not survive. In his memoir, “My Effin’ Life,” Lee shares how his parents’ experiences shaped his life and music, and he honors their legacy by sharing their stories.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed each year on Jan. 27, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp in 1945, which represented the largest and most infamous Nazi extermination site for systematic genocide during the Holocaust. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 to honor the six million

Jews and millions of others who were killed during the Holocaust. The day aims to raise awareness about the Holocaust, honor its victims, and promote education about the dangers of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance. It serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding human rights and preventing future atrocities.

This year’s event marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The goal of this commemoration is to foster awareness and education about the Holocaust, reminding us that the Holocaust was not just a Jewish tragedy but a profound loss for humanity. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of our shared history and the importance of solidarity in the face of injustice. Through our commemorative event, we reaffirm our collective responsibility to remember the past and actively promote a future free from hatred and violence.

Observances worldwide often include memorial services, educational programs, discussions, and events to promote reflection and remembrance. As its signature annual Holocaust commemorative event, the Greenspon Center hosts a community commemoration, reinforcing its mission to educate, advocate, and inspire action towards a more just and equitable society. Recent commemorations have included hosting the internationally acclaimed “Seeing Auschwitz” exhibit in Charlotte for its North American debut and bringing Dr. Stephen Smith to Charlotte to share his work to preserve the stories of Holocaust survivors through hologram technology.

“We live in a time when Holocaust denial and distortion are ubiquitous; commemorating this day reinforces the historical truth of the events that transpired,” said Judy LaPietra, director of the Greenspon Center. “Given his reach and devoted fan base, Geddy Lee will share a connection to this history and reach a demographic that might not otherwise be informed about the Holocaust.” Through our commemorative event, we reaffirm our collective responsibility to remember the past and actively promote a future free from hatred and violence.

January 27, 7 p.m. For more information about sponsorship or advertising, contact Judy LaPietra at Lapietraj@Queens.edu. For tickets to A Conversation with Geddy Lee, click here.