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'We Were There' ‘We Were There’ Survivors from Wielun, Poland dedicate former shul grounds in memoriam Then ... and Now (Left): The Podolsky family in Wielun, Poland, before the war. (Right): Rabbi Yona Metzger, chief rabbi of Israel (seated, second from left) visits with Holocaust survivor Zenek Podolsky (seated, second from right) and members of the Wieloner Benevolent Association and their children and grandchildren in New York City. (Below): Metzger (left) and Podolsky share a private moment. abbi Yona Metzger, chief native city to participate in a govern- generosity that made the commemo- rabbi of Israel, was in New ment-sponsored ceremony to dedi- ration possible. RYork to celebrate and honor cate a plaque in memory of the Jews The official invitation to the event, the lives of Holocaust survivors from of Wielun who were killed during issued by the Polish government, the Polish city of Wielun, a once- the Holocaust. reads, “In commemoration of the thriving Jewish community near The Polish powers-that-be decid- 70th anniversary of the Second Lodz, only 18 miles from the ed that the plaque would be placed in World War, 1939-2009, honoring the German border. Wielun’s Zwirki i Wigury Park, a president of the Republic of Poland Metzger said that often when he relatively new park which is located and the survivors of Wielun.” speaks before a crowd, people on the site where the city’s only syn- The only Podolsky family sur- approach him afterwards to tell him agogue proudly stood before it was vivors were Zenek and one of his what an honor it is to meet him. But burned to the ground in 1940. brothers. Their parents and remain- on a Sunday afternoon earlier this Before the war, Wielun was a city ing siblings were transported from summer, standing before the of some 36,000 families, about a Wielun to Treblinka, where they per- Wieloner Benevolent Association, third of which were Jewish, accord- Photos: Courtesy the Podolsky ished (except for one brother, who the chief rabbi said, “Today the ing to Podolsky. The Wieloner The two-day commemoration cer- president of Poland. was killed while in the Polish army honor is mine, to be able to stand Benevolent Association, which was emony, on Monday and Tuesday, was Unfortunately, Zenek Podolsky, a before the war). here with the survivors of Wielun,” founded by the city’s Jewish sur- organized by the office of the mayor successful real estate developer, and Podolsky said that today the according to Shirley Podolsky, the vivors, originally had 300 members; of Wielun and other city officials and his wife, Fanny, were unable to Polish people are “happy that there is daughter-in-law of Zenek Podolsky, with the passage of time and the included Polish dignitaries such as attend because of health concerns. quiet in the country” and at the cere- one of the survivors from Wielun death of its members, that number the mayors of Lodz and Warsaw as But their names were inscribed on mony they “talked about peace in (pronounced vee-elun). has dwindled to 40. well as Lecha Kaczynskiego, the the official plaque as it was their Poland and world peace.” Hosted by the elder Podolsky, the But despite the relative quiet in annual meeting of the Wieloner Podolsky wanted a plaque in Wielun ‘so people will Poland, Podolsky wanted a plaque in Association, held at the Empire Wielun “so people will know that we Hotel in New York City, was a pre- know that we were there, so they will never forget were there, so they will never forget lude to a unique trip. This past week, the families that were lost in Wielun.’ the families that were lost in 10 Wielun survivors traveled to their Wielun.” —Sharyn Perlman by Gristedes, a member of the Red AROUND THE JEWISH WORLD Apple Group. Honorees at the Legislative Breakfast included: New York State Sen. Shirley HEAR OUR VOICES Huntley, chair of NYS Mental Shema Kolainu—Hear Our Voices is Disabilities; NYC Council Finance a school and center that serves the spe- Chair David Weprin; Milton Weinstock, cial needs of children with autism. The Shema Kolainu board member; Marty organization recently hosted its 7th Markowitz, Brooklyn borough presi- Annual Legislative Breakfast to educate dent; Ed Skyler, NYC deputy mayor; he Inbal Hotel sukkah features outdoor elegance. officials about the need for autism care Fred Kreizman, NYC assistant commis- and research and thank them for their sioner of community affairs; Elana in the heart of Jerusalem, in walking dis- The Inbal is offering a 10 percent dis- support. Broitman, senior advisor to Sen. tance of the Kotel, the Great Synagogue count for guests who book all four festi- Founded in 1998 by Joshua Gillibrand; and Robert Gottheim, dis- and all major cultural and historical val meals in advance. Weinstein, Shema Kolainu opened its John A. Catsimatidis, chairman and CEO, trict director for Cong. Jerrold Nadler. sites. To accommodate those who will be doors to three school-aged children. Red Apple Group, addresses the Shema For more information, call The hotel features an elegant sukkah touring or spending part of the holiday Today there are over 50 children in its Kolainu Legislative Breakfast. 718.686.9600 or visit www.shemako- for all meals. In addition, the Inbal offers outside Jerusalem, the Inbal is accepting preschool and school-age programs; an lainu.org. families private dining by building indi- reservations for a minimum three-night additional 800 children receive home- served as honorary chairs. The event’s vidual sukkahs on the balconies of its stay. based services. chairs were State Senators Kevin Parker SUKKOT IN JERUSALEM suites. And as a member of the El Al A veritable who’s who of New York and Diane Savino. The festival days of Sukkot fall on Included for guests is the new fitness Matmid club, Inbal guests will receive government attended the breakfast John A. Catsimatidis, chairman and weekends, leaving lots of time for tour- center, complete with a fully equipped Matmid points. including: U.S. Senators Charles CEO, Red Apple Group, delivered ing Jerusalem. Why not base your trip at gym, wet and dry saunas, and four treat- For reservations, call 011 972 675 Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who greetings. The morning was sponsored the newly renovated Inbal Hotel, located ment rooms. 6669 or email [email protected]. 18 JEWISH WORLD • SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2009.
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