ID Transcript
mare1001_01 "OCT JOSEPH MEYERHOFF LtBRAWL I MARTYRDOM AND RESISTANCE Newsletter for the American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims, Inc. Vol. 10r-No. 1 Sept.-Oct. 1983 - Elul-Tishri 5744 Yad Vashem Projects: Growing Involvement Throughout the U. S. The American Society of Yad Vashem is fast becoming rooted on the American scene as affiliate societies are being formed from coast to coast. Realizing the unique role of Yad Vashem in the cause of remembrance, community leaders across the nation are identifying with the historic projects now being undertaken. This past summer, the American Society made dramatic strides in furthering the work of Yad Vashem: more than $500,000 was pledged, as community leaders sponsored events in Quogue, N.Y., in the Hamptons; in Hartford, Conn.; in Skokie, 111.; and in Memphis, Tenn. Among the projects being advanced is ""The Valley of the Destroyed Jewish Communities"" on the Mount of Remembrance, commemorating the 5,000 Jewish communities destroyed during the Holocaust. To date regional affiliates have been created in 10 states: New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, New Jersey, Delaware, and Rhode Island. David A. Chase has assumed the chairmanship of the Connecticut Society for Yad Vashem, with Governor William O'Neill serving as honorary chairman. Simon Konover is co-chairman. Governor Mario Cuomo is the honorary chair- (Continued on Page 9) Jerusalem Gathering a Tribute To the Heroes Who Resisted For five days, Oct. 2-6, World War II veterans, partisans and underground/resistance fighters, and Holocaust survivors will gather in Israel to culminate the Year of Courage and Valor. Organized under the auspices of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the world assembly will serve as a witness to the past, a message of warning to the present, and a handing down of the legacy of Jewish endurance for future generations. Joining in sponsorship of the historic gathering are Yad Vashem, the World Federation of Jewish Fighters, Partisans, and Camp Inmates, and the Israel War Veterans League. Israel's Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Dov Shilansky, who is coordinating the gathering, noted the meaningf ulness of the event, which takes place 50 years after the rise of Hitler, on the 40 anniversary of the uprisings in the ghettos of Warsaw, Bialystok, Czestochowa, and others, and in the 35th year of Israeli statehood. It will be a memorable tribute, he said, ""to the men and women who fought the Nazis and their cohorts in the ghettos and sewers of Europe, in the forests and swamps; to those who battled from the ranks of the Allied armies or in partisan units; to those who clawed at the oppressors from isolated and terrorized underground cells: and to Martyrdom and Resistance Celebrates Decade In September, 1974, the American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims issued the first number of Martyrdom and Resistance. The four-page publication was designed to inform the several thousand members of organizational news, remembrance activities, as well to give readers a smattering of historical reports. As Martyrdom and Resistance celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, its scope and readership have undergone great change. As the oldest, continual periodical devoted to the Holocaust, M & R has become a valuable resource for scholars and researchers. READERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD Circulation is now. close to 25,000, which includes not only survivors, but researchers and scholars in Judaica; libraries, public and college; rabbis, religious leaders and teachers; other community leaders and organizations; and government officials. It circulates throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Israel, South Africa, and as far away as Australia. M & R constantly receives hundreds of inspiring letters from readers in little-known communities. They write how important and meaningful the paper is to them. M & R is unique because it combines news and features about all aspects of the Holocaust and Resistance, book and film reviews, reports about educational programs, and a presentation of the activities of survivor groups. While other publica tions may deal with the Holocaust, their formats are geared to the educational aspects of the Holocaust. ""When M & R was first published, there was only limited interest in the Holocaust, mainly by survivors and specialized scholars,"" according to Eli Zborowski, editor-in-chief and honorary president of the American Federation of Survivors. ""Interest in the Holocaust has grown and certainly M & R has had an important role in channeling the awareness and the interest in the Holocaust."" ROLE IN PROMOTING REMEMBRANCE Mr. Zborowski also stressed the vital role of the periodical in promoting remembrance programs, specifically on Yom Hashoa V'Hagvurah: ""The commemoration of Yom Hashoa V'Hagvurah on the English calendar day corresponding to 27 Nissan has become an accepted reality in America, as well as around the world. We feel gratified that from its beginning M & R spoke out with clarity and forcefulness in helping ensure that this day of remembrance be established."" 10 YEARS OF MICROFICHE As part of its 10th anniversary celebration. Martyrdom and Resistance is planning to produce all its back copies on microfiche with an accompanying index. Schools, organizations, or individuals wishing to have these resources should write to: Martyrdom and Resistance, American Federation of Jewish Fighters, Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims, 823 U.N. Plaza, N.Y. 10017. Israeli gathering marks 40 years ©f resistance. those whose survival itself was an awesome act of spiritual resistance."" The American Federation of Jewish Fighters., Camp Inmates, and Nazi Victims has been energetic in working closely with the sponsoring groups. Many of its officers and members will attend the gathering. ""While there are many heroes worthy of tribute,"" American Federation Honorary President EJi Zborowski said, ""we give special honor to Tuvia Bielski, Franek Blaichman, and Samuel Gruber. They will be remembered for their heroic deeds."" The three were commanders in three different (Continued on Page 9) America's Role Bared In Klaus Barbie Case In front page headlines in the U.S. and throughout the world, America admitted that the Army had shielded Klaus Barbie, had paid the Gestapo chief for spying, and had aided him in his flight to Bolivia. The revelation marked the first time that an agency of the U.S. government had officially admitted protecting a former Nazi war criminal. Known as the ""Butcher of Lyon,"" Barbie was the Gestapo chief of France during 1942-44 and is held responsible for the death of some 4,00{1 people and the deportation of some 7,500 others. Many of the victims were members of the French Resistance, including Jean Moulin, the martyred hero. He was expelled from Bolivia earlier this year and extradited to France, where he awaits trial. The U.S. admission was the consequence of a report issued by the Justice Department on its in- (Continued on Page 16) THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF JEWISH FIGHTERS, CAMP INMATES, AND NAZI VICTIMS EXTENDS BEST WISHES FOR A HEALTHY PROSPEROUS, AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR "
