ID Transcript
mare0804_01 "f^m vTv /tf»R 1982 MARTYRDOM AND RESISTANCE Newsletter for the American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims, Inc. Vol. 8 - No. 2 March-April 1982 - Acfar-Nissan 5742 REMEMBER! On the Eve of Yom Hashoa The March-April issue of MARTYRDOM AND RESISTANCE appears before Yom Hashoa, which this year is Tuesday, April 20. 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. Observances will be held that day throughout the U.S. and worldwide. A stirring program at Yad Vashem will highlight ceremonies taking place throughout Israel. In the United States attention will be focused on the capital, where White House ceremonies are being arranged by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council on Martyrdom and Resistance Day — Yom Hashoa V'Hagvurah, April 20. In most American communities, commemorations are being arranged on Monday evening, April 19. Schools and other groups will hold special programs on April 20, which is 27 Nissan. The largest Yom Hashoa audience is expected on April 19 at an observance of the Labor Zionist Alliance at N.Y. Statler Hotel. That evening major observances will also take place in Queens, at the Young Israel of Forest Hills, Young Israel of Hillcrest, and the Hillcrest Jewish Center, as well as others throughout New York City. On Sunday, April 18, Temple Emanu-EI in Manhattan will be the setting for a massive commemoration 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 assist organizations and other groups in their observance of Yom Hashoa and in their commemorations — whenever held — by making available sample programs, booklets, flyers, and other materials. In addition, the American Federation of Survivors offers proclamations and speakers for Yom Hashoa. While Federation services may not fully meet every request, information is available by calling Mr. Hoenig or Masha Levine at 697-5670. If you are looking for an observance in your community, please call that number. The Federation is interested in receiving copies of programs and materials used for Yom Hashoa. Please send them to the Federation office, 823 U.N. Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10017. DONALD R. MANES • PRESIDENT ^Qrflrhtitiattnn Germing: WHEREAS, the Knesset of the State of Israel has designated April 20th, corresponding to the 27th day of Nisan, ss the day to remember the martyrdom and heroism of the six million Jews who perished in the European Holocaust; and WHEREAS, the Nazis' brutal torture and degradation of their victims before death, and the physical and spiritual scars of the few who escaped, the death camps shocked and stunned the entire world; and WHEREAS, Jewish Resistance fighters and partisans battled heroically on every war front and in the streets of Europe's cities to help many Jews escape, and to deter the Nazi war machine; and WHEREAS,, many synagogues, fraternal and community organizations in Queehs will be holding special services or programs to appropriately recall and pay tribute to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, >\ »j NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD R. MANES, President of the Borough of * *""*-£'* Queens, the City ""of New York, do hereby proclaim "" . \„V ■, 7\ in Queens in memory and tribute to Jewish Fighters, l-.'/jft' \ Camp Inmates and Nazi Victims. *\ J A/LS a' »,PDone at Borough Hall, Kew Gardens, in the City of New York, on this the nineteenth day of March, in the year one thousand nine hujadred and eighty-two. // / >•'< Tuesday, April Z0, 1982, as YOM HASHOA V'HAGVURAH REMEMBRANCE DAY Learning the Lessons of the Holocaust: The Time for Beginning Is Immediately _ WVLD R. MANES PRESIDENT, BOROUGH OF QUEENS A proclamation designating Yom Hashoa V'Hagvurah — Remembrance Day — on April 20, corresponding to 27 Nissan, has been issued by Queens Borough President Donald Manes, the 19th year that the office has taken the lead in issuing the proclamation, first started in 1964 by Borough President Mario J. Cariello. That year the Young Israel of Forest Hills held the first Yom Hashoa observance on record, outside of Israel. The guest speaker Was Rabbi Herschel Schacter, the chaplain serving with the American army that liberated Buchenwald. The organizing committee included: Charles Bick, Sam Bloch, Charles Drucker, Jack Rozmaryn, Eli Zborowski, chairman. By ELI ZBOROWSKI Chairman of Education, American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims With the approach* of Yom Hashoa, the continual theme is of the importance of remembering, of the need to draw a lesson from the past for guidance in the future. While the accent has been on the past, there have only been fleeting thoughts of concern for the days ahead. It is almost unthinkable to worry of another Holocaust era. But this complacency is changing. The ""1981 Audit of Anti-Semitic Episodes"" compiled by the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith is a chilling warning of growing hatred in America. It serves as a call for vigilance, to stand guard because of developing anti-Semitic trends. Many American Jews dismiss such reports with the contention that the Jewish community need not fear as long as there is no official anti-Semitism. However the recent debate on AW ACS found the Jews being labeled as the ""Jewish lobby,"" among other accusations. Warnings, threats, and accusations of dual allegiance against American Jews came from many quarters in the Reagan Administration. Is there now an official anti-Semitism? The anti-Semitism on matters regarding the security of Israel is part and parcel of a fully developed new-anti-Semitism or simply just anti- Zionism. They are not, can not be differentiated. And there has been no letup in violent attacks, for example, on Jewish institutions in Antwerp, Vienna, Paris, Bonn, and Rome. The most ugly form of anti-Semitism has been a systematic attempt to minimize or even deny the Holocaust. But the picture is from black. We should be concerned but not dispirited. Holocaust educational programs and activities of high quality have proliferated in America and throughout the world. From scholarly treatments in books to popular adaptations on the TV screen, people are learning, on different levels, about the Holocaust. The attention of the world was focused last June on Jerusalem when survivors from around the globe gathered to recall, reaffirm, and to reassert to the world that there was a Holocaust and there must never be one again. And who will forget the stirring speech made by President Reagan at White House ceremonies on Yom Hashoa under the sponsorship of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. A most gratifying consensus has been shaped that the Holocaust was a unique Jewish tragedy, a woeful consequences of centuries of anti-Semitic teachings and preachings. We stress the unique tragedy of the Six Million but do not lose sight of the fact that more than 11 million died because of Nazi doctrines and actions. Rabbi Howard Singer, of West Hartford, Conn., put it well in a New York Times Op-Ed Page article entitled ""Forget the Holocaust""?: (Continued on Page 9) "