Holocaust Memorial Readings & Materials

This is our page dedicated to remembering the Holocaust.  You will find information about our event on January 27, 2012 for UN Holocaust Commemoration Day, readings appropriate for Holocaust Memorial ceremonies or individual reflection, information about rescuers during the Holocaust, and photographs.

January 27th Online Event will discuss the Holocaust and Bystanders

Join us online as Our Jewish Community and The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education join forces to examine bystanders, who through their inaction played a large role in the events of the Holocaust. Through countless current events, we know that people continue to act as bystanders and look the other way when bad things are happening. While all of us think that we would take action, why in so many cases do people do nothing in the face of injustice, violence, abuse? On January 27, a panel of experts will come together to engage in dialogue about the historical and psychological factors of this phenomenon.  You’ll be able to watch it here.

Panelists include: Rabbi Robert Barr, Werner Coppel, Victoria Barnett, Nancy Kersell, and Dr. Cathy McDaniels Wilson.  Sarah Weiss will facilitate the conversation.

Readings for Holocaust Memorials:

Afternoon Sun by Shelley Gertzog Cowan

Remember by Fred Rothzeid

Felicja by Fred Rothzeid

Is There a Moment by Fred Rothzeid

Each One A Life by Fred Rothzeid

Memories of Recent Travels to Russia by Harriet Werfel Edwards

The Holocaust by David Cooper

Honoring Holocaust Rescuers

Rabbi Barr writes:

“In September 1997, I had the privilege to participate in a ceremony to recognize individuals who saved and protected Jews during World War II.   The ceremony, held in Rotterdam, was organized by Yad Vashem, the Israeli institution dedicated to serving as a “living memorial to the Holocaust.”   The individuals, 2 living and 3 posthumously, were being honored as Righteous Among the Nations.   This honorific is used by Yad Vashem to acknowledge the heroic acts of non-Jews who risked their lives to save the lives of Jews during the Holocaust.

I was asked to participate because I helped collect information about one of the rescuers who saved a member of Congregation Beth Adam.    Being asked to speak at this ceremony was truly a humbling experience.   In the sanctuary where the ceremony was held were individuals who risked their lives to save others along with those they saved as well as children and grandchildren.  Words do not fully capture what I sensed when I walked into that place. For a short period of time, I was in the presences of genuine heroes who saw themselves as simply people who did what was right.

Here we have several items from the event.

Here’s the letter I received from Yad Veshem telling me that Jeanne Oussoren was being award the title of Righteous Among the Nations.

Here are additional brief descriptions, prepared by Yad Vashem, detailing the acts each of the honorees did in protecting and saving Jews: for Jeanne Ousseron, Cee Hos, and Marinus Moltzer.

Here are my remarks which I presented as the closing benediction.”

Photographs: