Martyrdom & Resistance, Spring 2002

ID Transcript mare2805a_01 "American International Societies for YAD VASHEM Volume 2, Number 1 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Eli Zborowski A virulent and growing manifestation of anti- Semitism is taking hold around the world. The dark relics of an era we thought long past are re-emerging. We are witness to rumors of a global Jewish conspiracy-synagogues fire- bombed in the heart of Europe...whole countries inflamed with anti-Semitic hatred. I wish that I could tell you that these dispatches were culled from history's most horrible shadows. But I cannot. All of these incidents come directly from today's headlines. From Western Europe to the Arab world to the United States, experts are documenting a pervasive resurgence of anti-Semitism. The fires of September 11 were still smoldering when the rumors began to spread that the terrorist attacks were part of a global Jewish conspiracy organized by Israel to incite retaliation against Arab nations. That theory has received the official imprimatur of Syria's Defense Minister. An Iranian newspaper trumpeted it as well. In Kuwait, one rumor even claimed that New York rabbis advised their congregations to sell stock the day before the attacks. More ominously, the ""Jewish conspiracy"" canard has seeped into some Muslim newspapers in America as well. It is catching on across the Internet — and some mainstream voices have also implied — or even claimed outright — that the United States brought the attacks on itself by supporting Israel. In the space of just a few weeks, France logged more than 100 anti-Semitic incidents, including torchings of synagogues, attacks on individuals and demonstrations at which Muslims chanted ""death to the Jews."" In Germany, Palestinian and Lebanese demonstrators pelted a Holocaust memorial with rocks. Jewish cemeteries throughout Europe have been desecrated. Taken together, these events constitute the most active revival of anti-Semitism since the eve of the Holocaust and, most ominously, they are creating cultural conditions eerily similar to those that made Nazi brutalities possible. To be sure, none of us can single-handedly stop to anti-Semitism. But we can — and must (Continued on page 4) Spring 2002 MELVIN JULES BUKIET HONORED AT SPRING LUNCHEON The American Society for Yad Vashem Second Annual Spring Luncheon honored noted author, Melvin Jules Bukiet, for his contribution to Holocaust Literature. The event took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York on May 9, 2002. Chaired by Fanya Gottesfeld Heller, National Vice Chair for New York, the luncheon was attended by 200 supporters, including survivors, their children, grandchildren and friends. ""I am delighted by the response. We have almost doubled our attendance over last year. It is especially encouraging to see multiple generations and so many new faces,"" commented Mrs. Heller. Melvin Bukiet is the author of six books of fiction and editor of two anthologies. He is a member of the Executive Board of the American & International Societies for Yad Vashem and the son of Rose and Joseph J. Bukiet, Holocaust survivor and Vice Chairman of the Societies. Mr. Bukiet's guest address was titled, ""Nothing Makes You Free: Writings From the Second Generation."" In his remarks, Mr. Bukiet relayed a passage from the introduction of the anthology he edited with the same title. He said: ""108016 is the secret personal identification number for my bank account. 108016 is also the code to enter my computer and answering machine at work. Whenever I need a number in this age that compels them, I use 108016. A few years ago, I presented a novel I wrote to German Chancellor Kohl, and signed it '108016.' Herr Kohl looked baffled; he probably thought it was my phone number... .It would be disingenuous for me to claim that those six digits were the first I knew....but the artless aniline blue of 108016 tattooed on my father's forearm was an abiding sign of the Eli Zborowski, Melvin Bukiet and Fanya Gottesfeld Heller past in our present. It is his alone and then, as much as such a thing can ever be, it became mine, and now it's yours; we can share."" The American Society for Yad Vashem Achievement Award was presented by Eli Zborowski, Chairman. In acknowledging Mr. Bukiet's work, Mr Zborowski said, ""Through your writing, you are teaching your children and future generations the world over the lessons your father taught you. For adhering to the Biblical tenet of vehigadetah levincha — and you shall tell your children — we, of the American Society, are pleased to honor you today."" Passages from Melvin Bukiet's books were movingly read by four members of the Young Leadership Associates: Adina Burian, Elana Bourkoff, Aliza Siegel and Keren Toledano. See the names of Luncheon Sponsors, Patrons, and Friends on page 4. ■ Melvin Bukiet with members of the Young Leadership Associates, Keren Toledano, Aliza Siegel, Adina Burian and Elana Bourkoff Melvin Bukiet with his parents, Joseph and Rose Bukiet "