Yom Hashoah took place as Israel was still in "lockdown" due to coronavirus. However, Modiin's traditional, cross communal event nevertheless went ahead, via Zoom. ESRA Modiin and the Levonah chapter of Hadassah Israel under the effective chairmanship of Ellen Shemesh and Rose Scharlat,combined to arrange a most moving program which attracted more than 80 households. Dr Louis Katz gave a sensitive reading in both Hebrew and English of part of "The Survivors' Declaration" first heard at the ceremony which concluded the International Conference on Holocaust Survivors' Legacy at Yad Vashem in 2002.
This was followed by the lighting of six Yahrzeit candles by Holocaust Survivor Mimi Naidelbach. Her daughter Sandy Regev followed, with a deeply felt account of the family's experiences illustrated by photographs. While Mimi herself had survived, many of her family, including her father and younger sister, were murdered.
Subsequent descriptions of family experience were given by Second Generation members, Pessla Stern, Myrna Mitnick, Meira Oved, Raya Sosensky and Shaindy Zudick, who each related their own family history – and in many cases, tragedy- from across the globe. From Russia to Rhodes with extensive references to other parts of Europe including Hungary, Poland, Italy and Germany, their diverse accounts of loss and suffering were also communicated as beacons of hope. While never forgetting who were murdered and whose memories live on, often in the names of the grandchildren and great grandchildren they had never met, their accounts also demonstrated extraordinary reserves of faith and renewal. Roots have been re-established and
families revived, many here in Israel.
Enormous credit must go not only to all those who shared their heart-rending and profoundly personal stories, but also to Ruchama Berkovitch who liaised with all the participants. Rabbi Jeff Shron sang an emotional and poignant tribute "Born to Remember" by Sam Glaser, while Gerry Wine's careful reading of two poems, "Free Will" by American Norman Gordon, and "Never Say" by the Polish writer, Hirsh Glik, was deeply affecting.
Bonnie Bachenheimer provided skilled and empathetic coordination encouraging those of us who may be less confident "Zoomers" with good humored support.
Financial contributions which were encouraged in dedication, honor or memory of a loved one, a martyr or a survivor, were most gratefully received, and have been individually acknowledged.
This was followed by the lighting of six Yahrzeit candles by Holocaust Survivor Mimi Naidelbach. Her daughter Sandy Regev followed, with a deeply felt account of the family's experiences illustrated by photographs. While Mimi herself had survived, many of her family, including her father and younger sister, were murdered.
Subsequent descriptions of family experience were given by Second Generation members, Pessla Stern, Myrna Mitnick, Meira Oved, Raya Sosensky and Shaindy Zudick, who each related their own family history – and in many cases, tragedy- from across the globe. From Russia to Rhodes with extensive references to other parts of Europe including Hungary, Poland, Italy and Germany, their diverse accounts of loss and suffering were also communicated as beacons of hope. While never forgetting who were murdered and whose memories live on, often in the names of the grandchildren and great grandchildren they had never met, their accounts also demonstrated extraordinary reserves of faith and renewal. Roots have been re-established and
families revived, many here in Israel.
Enormous credit must go not only to all those who shared their heart-rending and profoundly personal stories, but also to Ruchama Berkovitch who liaised with all the participants. Rabbi Jeff Shron sang an emotional and poignant tribute "Born to Remember" by Sam Glaser, while Gerry Wine's careful reading of two poems, "Free Will" by American Norman Gordon, and "Never Say" by the Polish writer, Hirsh Glik, was deeply affecting.
Bonnie Bachenheimer provided skilled and empathetic coordination encouraging those of us who may be less confident "Zoomers" with good humored support.
Financial contributions which were encouraged in dedication, honor or memory of a loved one, a martyr or a survivor, were most gratefully received, and have been individually acknowledged.