Martyrdom & Resistance, November/December 2003

ID Transcript mare3002_01 "'O' CEBV H 6 2004 Martyrdom and Resistance: 30 Years of Remembrance Vol. 30-NO.2 ISSN 0892-1571 November/December 2003-Heshvan/Kislev 5764 Yad Vashem Dinner Marks Yad Vashem's 50th Year; Honors Marilyn, Jack A. Belz; Sharon, David Halpern In 1953, the State of Israel was but five years old; the Holocaust was over eight years before. Remembrance of the tragic years was disorganized; hopes for the future had advanced, but the future was uncertain. Enter Yad Vashem, established in 1953 a defining moment in the newly reborn Medinat Yisrael. It was mandated by a legislative act of the Knesset, as the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority. Fifty years of Yad Vashem were marked November 2, at the Yovel Tribute Dinner of the American and International Societies for Yad Vashem, on the theme From the Holocaust to Redemption. The honorees were Marilyn and Jack A. Belz and Sharon and David Halpern. Guest speaker was Ari Fleischer, former White House Press Secretary and Assistant to President George W. Bush. ""The 50th anniversary of Yad Vashem, the world's premier center for Holocaust remembrance, and research is an occasion for pride, reflection, and commitment to the goals of Israel's Remembrance Authority,"" said Eli Zborowski, chairman of the Societies for Yad Vashem. Eli Zborowski added: ""Yad Vashem was this year's recipient of the prestigious Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement for its Unique Contributions to Society and the State. With so much accomplished in its first 50 years, the work of Yad Vashem is in many ways just beginning."" The record dinner turnout of 1200 was dramatic confirmation that Yad Vashem has a visionary and meaningful future. The Societies have excelled in their role as the educational and developmental arm of the Israeli Remembrance Authority on the Mount of Remembrance in Jerusalem. The honorees were Marilyn and Jack A. Belz (Remembrance Award) and Sharon and David Halpern (Young Leadership Remembrance Award). The General Chairmen were Dr. Israel Singer and Leonard Wilf, Ira Drukier and Dr. Romana Strochlitz Primus were Dinner Chairmen. DINNER THEME IS ACCOMPANIED IN JOURNAL BY TEXT AND PHOTOS The dinner theme received accompaniment in the Journal, chaired by Harry Karten. Through a series of literary and photo images, the Journal depicts the evolution of remembrance over the past decades since the establishment of Yad Vashem 50 years ago. Journal sections include ""Remembering Families and Communities: Life Before the War""; ""Out of the Ashes: Rebirth, Renewal, and the Early Years of Yad Vashem""; ""Redemption and the Future: Prosperity and the Evolution of Yad Vashem."" The worldwide flavor of the Societies was evidenced by an illustrious dais of diplomatic representatives, government officials, and heads of Jewish organizations that meet the varied needs of Jewry across the globe. Seventeen countries were represented. Especially gratifying was the nature of the attendees. Close to two-third of the guests represented the Young Leadership: children, and grandchildren of survivors. The latter segment has grown in recent years. The Young Leadership played key roles on dinner committees. Yad Vashem began preserving the memory and relaying the numbing stories of the Six Million martyrs in its assemblage of archives and photographs; maintained a library with thousands of titles; started the Righteous Among The Nations; inaugurated a computerized database, with the names of Jewish Holocaust victims and Pages of Testimony in the Hall of Names; hosted educators and students from across the globe at the International School for Holocaust Studies; the International Institute for Holocaust Research publishes and circulates research and publicizes its work by conducting conferences with global participation. To guarantee the continuity of remembrance, Yad Vashem is busily completing a new museum com- (Continued on page 9) Yad Vashem Dinner 1, 8, 9-11 Book Reviews 2,12 Survivors' Corner 5 Campus and Classroom 6 Yovel Programs in Israel 8,13 Yad Vashem News 8,12,16 Left to Right: Sam Halpern; Gladys Halpern; Honorees David Halpern and Sharon Halpern; and Avner Shalev at the American & International Societies for Yad Vashem Yovel Tribute Dinner. Honorees Jack A. and Marilyn Belz at the American & International Societies for Yad Vashem Yovel Tribute Dinner. "