Martyrdom and resistance, March/April 2001

ID Transcript mare2704_01 "EW Ap* 2 4 rnu Vol. 27 - No. 4 ISSN 0892-1571 March-April 2001 -Adar-Nisan 5761 Yom Hashoah V'Hagvurah 5761: The Message Still The Importance of Eternalizing Remembrance Themes BY ELI ZBOROWSKI CHAIRMAN, AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL SOCIETIES FOR YAD VASHEM People are still talking and writing about the observances and spirit that prevailed on Yom Hashoah V'Hagvurah 5760-2000. Beyond the first observances of the millennium, last year's programs still basked in the afterglow of Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Yad Vashem. This past has seen a return to the writing of ""last chapters"" of the Holocaust: reparations payments, the return of plundered funds and cultural assets, the bringing of ex-Nazis to justice. These chapters are important and should be completed. However, the issues of remembrance have more urgent, immediate, and long-range concerns. The Holocaust came to a close more than 55 years ago. The second generation and third generation have been taught well, and, in fact, many have assumed Remembrance Programs, Ceremonies at Yad Vashem Are Being Coordinated by the American Society Seven days of programs and ceremonies of remembrance will take place through the auspices or cooperation of Yad Vashem, from April 11 - May 9. The activities are being coordinated by the American Society for Yad Vashem. • April 11 — Dedication of the International Institute of Holocaust Research; • April 15-16 — Convening of conference — ""40 Years After the Trial of Adolf Eichmann,"" to beheld at Yad Vashem, Hebrew University, and Bet Haam; • April 17 — performance of ""Zichron Dvarim"" by the Kibbutz Dance Troupe, at the Jerusalem Theatre; • April 18 — Official opening ceremony for Holocaust Remembrance Day, at Yad Vashem — Warsaw Ghetto; • April 19 — Wreath-laying ceremony at Yad Vashem — Warsaw Ghetto Square, Main Memorial Ceremony, at Yad Vashem — Hall of Remembrance; • Concert for Holocaust Memorial Day — Jerusalem Symphony, in cooperation with Yad Vashem at the Henry Crown Hall of the Jerusalem Theatre; • May 9 — V-E Day (Victory Over Germany), at Yad Vashem — Memorial to the Jewish Soldiers. According to Eli Zborowski, chairman of the Societies for Yad Vashem, ""We no longer have the Oleh Regel visitation as we had in days of old. However, those who come to Jerusalem for Yad Vashem programs during Passover will be taking part in the sacred duty of remembrance, which is an essential component of our Jewish identity."" U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell at Yad Vashem in front of the Pillar of Heroism (1 to r) David Ivry, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.; General Powell; Avner Shalev, Chairman, Yad Vashem Directorate roles of leadership throughout the world in transmitting the message of remembrance. But what of the future? Yad Vashem 2001 has taken remarkable strides in planning for this century. Those of us at the Societies for Yad Vashem are gratified in being partners in this sacred cause. Throughout the world Holocaust resources grow; other open regularly to serve remembrance needs across the globe. The survivors are grateful for what has been achieved in this sacred enterprise and are thankful, that they continue to live in good health and are able to take part in remembrance projects. Anti-Semitism Remains Problem In Many Parts of the Globe But what of the future? Who will lead remembrance programs as the survivors pass from the scene? And the need for vigilance has not ceased. Perhaps things are relatively quiet in America; however, many anti-Semitic incidents go on in Russia, in other parts of Eastern Europe, and in the Middle East. Therefore, in these days, in the season of Yom Hashoah V'Hagvurah, all of us must ask ourselves: ""What are we doing to sustain the memory of the martyrs? Can we do more?"" At the least — and it is not a small action, and it should not be minimized, you should make plans to attend the observance of Yom Hashoah V'Hagvurah on 27 Nisan, Wednesday evening, April 18, which continues on Thursday, April 19. The importance of Yom Hashoah V'Hagvurah on 27 Nisan has been stressed so often in these pages (Continued on page 16) "