Page 38 - Jewish News_April 2020

38A April 2020 COMMENTARY

75 anniversary of Auschwitz liberation
th
observed in Poland and Jerusalem

By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
he observance began in Jerusa- President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Hungary and Ukraine feature such re- area of their captivity. They wept, they
lem on January 23. It was called U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. visionist thoughts as countries try to pointed to places where they stood in
Tthe World Holocaust Forum and There were, however, a number of free themselves from their involvement line to be counted by the Nazi guards.
it took place at Yad Vashem. Forty-five countries whose leaders in causing the Holocaust. They walked in and out of the gas

world leaders attended the 75 anni- did not participate be- Israel’s Prime Minister chambers, remembering relatives and
th
versary of the liberation of Auschwitz cause politics asserted Benjamin Netanyahu re- friends whose lives were taken in the

that took place January 27, 1945. It its ugly head and led fused to bow to the politics of most horrific manner possible. They
was supposed to be an opportunity them to refrain from be- the moment. He concentrat- stood in silence as they listened to Is-
for world leaders to face the horror ing at Yad Vashem. Po- ed his efforts on letting the rael’s President Reuven Rivlin state the

of the concentration camp, denounce land’s President Andrzej world know how the Jewish following: “We remember that Nazi
all who aided in the death of over one Duda was not invited to people react to the reality of Germany initiated, planned and ex-
million Jews in this place of murder. It speak and thus remained the Holocaust and what this ecuted the Jewish genocide in Poland
was supposed to be a reminder to the at home. Ukraine’s Pres- anniversary means to Israel as well as elsewhere, and that it bears
world of the evil perpetrated by Nazi ident Volodymyr Zelen- and world Jewry. He stated full responsibility for its actions. How-

Germany on all people “different” sky, of Jewish descent, Rabbi Howard A. Simon that “Auschwitz and Jeru- ever, it is also remembered that Nazi
from the “superior race,” especially the was snubbed by the conference com- salem are an abyss and a peak. Ausch- Germany was greatly assisted in its
Jews who Hitler wanted to eradicate mittee and gave his delegation’s seats witz extermination, Jerusalem revival. murderous acts by countries through-
from the world. The spotlight centered to Holocaust survivors. The reason for Auschwitz enslavement, Jerusalem free- out Europe, and this conduct demands
on Russian President Vladimir Putin, these actions was because World War dom. Auschwitz death, Jerusalem life.” responsibility.”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, II and Holocaust revisionism is present He took steps to point out the fact Two observances. Terrible remind-
England’s Prince Charles, Germany’s throughout Eastern Europe. Poland, that Auschwitz represented the lack of ers. A time of hate, demonic actions
power of the Jewish people. He then and the death of six million of our
Do you really want a RoboAdvisor? said, “Today we have a voice, we have people. A host of countries and their
a shield, we have a land.”
leaders deny this fact, but they will not
Four days later, on January 27, at erase the reality of Auschwitz and ev-
the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp in Po- ery other concentration camp. Death
land, 200 survivors of the Holocaust ruled during these years of the Second
We’re putting “personal” gathered to observe the 75 anniver- World War. Life was expendable, espe-
th
back in personal finance. sary of their day of freedom. It was a cially Jewish lives. That was then. Not

Call us today and totally different gathering, but many of so today. Am Yisrael Chai, the people
the concerns dealt with at the Jerusa-
of Israel live. The Jewish voice is no
let’s get personal. lem observance manifested themselves longer silent. We speak out on behalf
at Auschwitz. It was here that Poland’s of freedom, liberty and support for all

Amanda E. Stiff, Financial Advisor President Duda stated that “the mag- those who are threatened by the reali-
nitude of the crime perpetrated in this ties of our ever-so-threatened world.
place is terrifying, but we must not We care, we remember, we will not for-
look away from it and we must not get and we will not stand idle against
ever forget it.” Survivor Marian Turski the threat of anti-Semitism wherever it
reminded the world to “not be indif- occurs. Such are the lessons taught by
ferent when you see historical lies. Do the past. Such is the determination of

not be indifferent when any minority the present. Such is the way of life for
is discriminated against. Democracy the future.
AccessAdvisorsLLC.com 941 330 9260 Astiff@AccessAdvisorsLLC.com hinges on the rights of minorities be- Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
1800 Second Street Suite 895 Sarasota, FL 34236 1305 Langhorne Road Lynchburg, VA 24503
ing protected. The 11 commandment ing chair of the Robert and Esther
th

Security and Advisory services offered through Harbor Financial Services, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC clearing through Raymond James must be: Thou shalt not be indifferent.” Heller Community Relations Commit-
& Associates, Inc. Member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. Access Advisors, LLC is not an affiliate nor subsidiary of Harbor Financial
Services, LLC. The survivors walked about the tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
build. advocate.

.
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remember. support.support.support.support.
Government Affairs
Meetings with elected officials are increasingly important as we see
support for Israel eroding around the world. Advocating for Jewish
interests starts locally and often goes to Washington D.C. You can
count on the Heller CRC when it matters most, from advocating in
our local school systems to championing national bills.

^ Builds Bridges
Robert and Esther Heller ^ Advocates through
CRC Government Affairs

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^ Remembers the Holocaust

^ Supports Hillel

Holocaust

Heller CRC assists school teachers, synagogues and
churches as well as local libraries to “Never Forget.”
The Holocaust Speakers Bureau brings personal
stories told by survivors themselves to school
children and adults alike, leaving lasting memories
for those who hear them. Such stories generate
change, creating upstanders not bystanders.

HELLER CRC’S MISSION

To build relationships within
the Jewish and non-Jewish
communities and to advance
common interests through

education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC

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