Shoah Commemoration in Sydney
Commemoration of the Shoah this year has been marked by three highly successful and emotive events.
The first, held on Sunday morning, was the annual ceremony and name reading at the Martyrs’ Memorial at Rookwood cemetery. Speakers included David Osip, Dane Stern, Benny Kaplinski, Michelle Levitt and Rita Nash (Yiddish Address) who all spoke about their families’ experiences. Unto Every Person There is a Name was introduced by Danny Hochberg. This function is also utilised by many as a Yahrzeit for those murdered in the Holocaust but whose date and time of death are unknown.
Thomas Keneally
The Annual Yom Hashoah commemoration held this year at Clancy Auditorium at UNSW was attended by 945 people making it one of the most successful commemorations in many years.
The Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley joined many politicians and members of the diplomatic corps. There were many highlights of the evening including the lighting of six candles of remembrance by survivors, the main address by Thomas Keneally and honouring Righteous Among the Nations, Oscar Schindler by the Korn family, which had contributed significantly to Keneally’s book, Schindler’s Ark.
A poignant video testimony by Yvonne Engelman was shown, representatives of the Jewish Youth Movements recollected the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and Kara Borecki told the story of her grandfather, Oscar, who was a Bielski Partisan and had always advocated for the inclusion of the Partisan Song in Shoah Commemorations. Soulful music was performed by Sam Podjarski and accompanists and the Sydney Jewish Choral Society. Overall, this was an accomplished commemoration which was appreciated by all present.
Youth HEAR presented a moving commemoration last night at Moriah College. Whilst it was mainly aimed at our youth, the audience included many adults, non-Jewish students and dignitaries. The theme of the evening was “Hope!” and it was a powerful message with third-generation young people telling of the poignant experiences of their ancestors who survived the Shoah. It was a very moving evening highlighting the passion with which our younger generation has taken on the legacy of remembrance. We should be incredibly proud of their achievement and dedication. Whilst we once could only hope that our children and grandchildren would carry on the legacy, this commemoration reveals that they are now ready and certainly able to pick up the mantle.
Report: George Foster
Photos: Giselle Haber
