Martyrdom and Resistance, March/April 1981

ID Transcript mare0704_01 "THE JOSEPH MEYEHHOFF LIBRARY is MARTYRDOM AND RESISTANCE Newsletter for the American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims, Inc. Vol. 7 - No. 4 March-April - Adar I, I! - Nissan 5741 REMEMBER! I u pp Memo to Jewish Organizations on the Eve of Yom Hashoa The March-April issue of MARTYRDOM AND RESISTANCE appears before Yom Hashoa, which this year is Friday, May 1. Since 1972 the American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims has taken the initiative in issuing a proclamation endorsed by national Jewish organizations — which calls for the observance of Yom Hashoa on 27 Nissan. This year a record number of national Jewish organizations have joined in sponsoring a proclamation calling for observance of Holocaust and Resistance Day. Sparked by the granting of permanent status to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, this year promises to be very active and meaningful in terms of the organizations and groups sponsoring observances on 27 Nissan: Holocaust and Resistance Day. Observances will be held that day throughout the U.S. and worldwide. In Israel, Yom Hashoa will be observed throughout the country, led by a stirring program at Yad Vashem. The observance of Yom Hashoa will be in the American spotlight with Congress having passed a resolution which calls for the declaration of April 26 - May 2 as a Week of Remembrance. A commemoration will take place in the nation's capital under sponsorship of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. The date will be on 27 Nissan—May 1 or on the nearest date, depending on President Reagan's availability. In many communities commemorations are being arranged on the previous evening, April 30. Schools and other groups will hold special programs on May 1, which is 27 Nissan. Other programs and commemorations are scheduled around this date. Among these commemorations is the one on Sunday, May 3, at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan, which is being coordinated by WAGRO and also co-sponsored by other organizations. As in the past, the American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims will aid organizations and other groups in their observance of Yom Hashoa and in their commemorations — whenever held — by providing sample programs, booklets, flyers, and other materials. SERVICES OF FEDERATION OF SURVIVORS In addition, the American Federation of Survivors offers proclamations and speakers for Yom Hashoa. While Federation services may not fully meet every request, assistance is available by calling Ernest Honig at (212) 490-2525 or Mrs. Beatrice Lerner at (212) 697-5670. For our next issue we would like to list organizations and groups who held Yom Hashoa observances. The information should be submitted to the Federation office at 823 United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10017, before May 15. Concerned but Confident as Yom Hashoa Approaches By ELI ZBOROWSKI Chairman of Education, American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims Forty-eight years after the rise of the Third Reich, anti-Semitism still shows a determined and vigorous spirit. With newspaper headlines and magazine covers telling the shocking stories, the world has witnessed a seemingly endless series of anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi incidents from one end of the globe to another. France, West Germany, Spain, Italy, and Argentina : these are some of the countries that have experienced troublesome outbreaks of hatred. ANTI-SEMITISM IN AMERICA But the concern of world Jewry is especially being raised by developments in America, with the largest Jewish population in the world and home to more survivors than any country with the exception of Israel. Rampant anti-Semitism was revealed in the 1980 report of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, which concluded that ""anti-Semitism and other forms of racial and religious bigotry re- tfiain a virulent social disease."" Speaking about the rise in neo-Nazi incidents, a journalist said that ""Nazis are being given a hunting license in this country."" What is taking place, he said, ""is the organized reemergence of neo-Nazism. It takes the form of new leaders stepping forward who are more articulate and who use sophisticated techniques."" However, the picture should not be painted in black. The Jewish community stands united to meet these threats. The Skokie chapter is but one example of the determination to wage battle that there be no more Holocausts. In terms of reaching people with the story of the Holocaust, there have been unprecedented breakthroughs that began with the presentation of the Holocaust TV series. Millions have watched this program, and millions have also watched or will be seeing popular treatments of Playing for Time, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Bunker, In- side the Third Reich and The Wall. GROWTH OF HOLOCAUST STUDIES Holocaust, instruction has gained access from one end of the country to another, from elementary classes through graduate school seminars. Perhaps what has been most. gratifying has been the U.S. government's recognition of the importance of the lessons of the Holocaust and the need to perpetuate the memory of the victims. Established by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the President's Commission on the Holocaust has now become the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and has just now achieved a permanent status. Years ago it was a question and a need to motivate people to remember. This is no longer true. The issue is not one of remembering, but how, through what means shall people remember. We are pleased to report that within the Coun- (Continued on Page 9) ESTABLISH HOLOCAUST FOUNDATION The U.S. Holocaust Remembrance Foundation has been established to help in the commemoration and understanding of the Holocaust. According to Elie Wiesel, chairman of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, the Foundation will also take part in the creation of a public memorial or museum devoted to the Holocaust and in ""support for teaching and research intended to foster understanding of the Holocaust and of its catastrophic consequences."" The Foundation may also offer financial assistance to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, Mr. Wiesel added. The 15-member board of the Foundation include Irving Bernstein, Robert McAfee Brown, Harry J. Cargas, Monroe H. Freedman, Frank Lauten- berg, Miles Lerman, Benjamin Meed, Hadassah Rosensaft, Abram Sachar, Richard Schifter, Sig- mund Strochlitz, Mark Talisman, Elie Wiesel, Siggi Wilzig, and Eli Zborowski. "