zun,—iuhx JUNE 2002 VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL WASHINGTON, DC April 15, 2002 “Their fate is our fate.” ---Benjamin Meed s the world media screamed its vitriol at the State of Israel, as Jewish ister Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Natan Sharansky delivered their messages, bodies once again piled up and the world closed its eyes yet pointed its there too was House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, Acollective finger at the Jews as the culprits responsible for the turmoil, Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, Congressman Ben Gilman. There American Jewry called out to meet in Washington, to show the world its sup- was Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, New York Governor George port for its beleagured brethren. Pataki, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and on and on went the list of the And they came—by the carload, the bus load, by plane, by foot. Over 150,00 powerful and not so powerful who came this day to lend their support, to add their descended on Washington, young and old, including many Holocaust survivors names as friends of Israel and as friends of Jews. And God looked down with and Jewish War Veterans. They came to stand together, to let the nations of the great favor on this day. Under a brilliant sun, more and more people came to spill world understand that never again would Jews stand by and let their fellow over beyond the Capitol mall, reaching back to the reflecting pool and expanding Jews be attacked and murdered. And this time they brought their allies with beyond the surrounding avenues. They came en masse to express their support them—their political representatives, their non-Jewish friends, those who have for Israel and sent a powerful message to the American administration to stand power in government. As Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, former Israel Prime Min- with Israel in the common struggle against terrorism, for peace and security. American Gathering of NON-PROFIT Jewish Holocaust Survivors U.S. POSTAGE PAID 122 West 30th Street, Suite 205 NEW YORK, N.Y. New York, New York 10001 PERMIT NO. 4246 TOGETHER 1 MEMORIES OF COURAGE by Benjamin Meed TOGETHER (Remarks at the Days of Remembrance Ceremony in Washington, zun,—iuhx c´´xa, JUNE 2002 VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 DC on April 9, 2002.) Today is Yom Hashoah, the Day of Remembrance. This morning the entire State of c•o•n•t•e•n•t•s Israel stood in silence remembering the Solidarity Rally in Washington, DC.....................................................cover Holocaust. We stand in solidarity with our Memories of Courage by Benjamin Meed................................................2 brothers and sisters in Israel. We pray daily for National Commemoration of the Days of Remembrance............................3 the violence to end. Both Jews and Palestinians Address by Condoleezza Rice.................................................................4 must forge ahead to a shared peaceful future. Legacy of the Holocaust Survivors by Moshe Sanbar...............................4 The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has designated, Joint Commemoration of WAGRO & The Museum of Jewish Heritage......5 “Memories of Courage” as this year’s theme. In light of recent acts Teachers’ Program on Holocaust and Jewish Resistance............................6 of terrorism, what could be more fitting than a tribute to heroes? Teachers’ Addresses at Alumni Conference..............................................7 The 2002 Days of Remembrance honors those brave men and Renewed Dedication to Teaching the Holocaust by Diane Clark...............8 women who took a stand against the German Nazi regime. Now more Holocaust Museums.................................................................................8 than ever, individuals and communal acts of heroism during the New Leadership at U.S. Holocaust Museum............................................9 Holocaust demonstrate how we can and must respond to acts of hatred New Media/Old Issues by Mordechai Haller...........................................9 and inhumanity. American Gathering Leadership Conference and Resolutions...................10 Sixty years ago the German Nazis unleashed the machinery of the The Controversy Rages, But Is It Art? by Jeanette Friedman................11 Holocaust in Europe. This period has come to represent mankind at Insult & Injury by Rabbi David Lincoln..................................................11 its most barbanc. The Nazis used the most advanced technology for their evil, sinister plans. The Tragedy of Jews in Argentina by Wolf Finkelman............................ 11 Widespread, systematic, intense abuses against humanity led to a USHMM Joins Memoirs Project............................................................12 campaign of mass murder with many fated to go to the gas chambers. Jews Under Siege by Jack Kelley...........................................................12 Unspeakable horrors were committed against millions of innocent Contemporary Literature by Philip Graubart.........................................13 men women and children, and it went on for many years. Material Claims Conference Meets in Berlin by Roman Kent..................13 Some collaborated with the Nazis, while most stood by with their Art Exhibits............................................................................................14 eyes closed and did nothing. This indifference to the destruction of In Hindsight by Menachem Rosensaft....................................................14 lives and cultures is shameful. Six million Jewish lives were lost to In Memoriam.........................................................................................15 the brutality of the Holocaust. Millions of others were murdered as Announcement for Former Slave Laborers in Poland...............................16 undesirables. Dutch Jews Reclaim Goods Stolen by Nazis...........................................16 In the midst of such suffering, ordinary people became unlikely Holocaust Bookshelf..............................................................................17 heroes. Many sought to assist those who the Nazis wanted to News Briefs...........................................................................................19 annihilate. Unbelievable actions by individual and some communities Deadline to File Holcaust Insurance Claims Extended..............................21 were beginning to take place. These brave, noble souls risked Jewish European Leaders Disastified with Restitution...............................21 imprisonment and death, but would not be deterred. Some provided Second Generation Film in Argentina......................................................21 shelter and hiding places. Letters...................................................................................................22 Jewish underground organizations aided many with false identification papers, a place to live and other forms of support. Poorly armed Jews rose against Nazi power in street fighting. Jewish partisans were involved in acts of sabotage, and provided shelter for ghetto refugees. Prisoners engaged in uprisings by attacking guards. Death camp inmates committed acts of arson, destroying gas chambers and crematoria. For some, survival became a form of resistance. Inspired by such acts, others began to follow their consciences. Some tried to arouse public opinion against the Nazi regime, while others highlighted the need for action. By committing such extraordinary acts, ordinary people became heroes. Similar lessons are no less true today. We experienced a cruel act of terrorism on September 11th. America received a devastating In the process of working more closely with the Survivors, the wake-up call. Yet in the face of this vicious ordeal, we showed International Network of Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors has magnificent valor. The choices we make can affect the fight against become an integral part of the American Gathering, which welcomes oppression and hatred. In the aftermath, we decided to meet the the Second Generation and its descendants with best wishes for challenge of evil with perseverance. success in all our common endeavors. Today we must remember the Holocaust, honor its victims and the spirit of the survivors. Let us take to heart the example of those who dared to make a stand against tyranny. Individuals must remember their power to make a difference. TOGETHER In our recent experience with our own tragedy on September 11th, AMERICAN GATHERING OF JEWISH HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS we can reflect on the Holocaust as a reminder of our moral obligation 122 West 30th Street, Suite 205 · New York, New York 10001 to pursue freedom, justice and peace. 212 564-1065 When governments teach hatred, evil will follow. We know all too President Secretary Publication Committee BENJAMIN MEED LEON STABINSKY SAM E. BLOCH, Chairman well that the impossible is possible. The unbelievable can happen Senior Vice Presidents Treasurer/Associate Editor Hirsh Altusky SAM E. BLOCH MAX K. LIEBMANN Roman Kent again. WILLIAM LOWENBERG Editor Max K. Liebmann Chairman of the Board JEANETTE FRIEDMAN Alfred Lipson Let us strive for a world filled with compassion and tolerance for ROMAN KENT Associate Editor Vladka Meed Chairman, Advisory Board PHILIP SIERADSKI Menachem Z. Rosensaft each other. SIGMUND STROCHLITZ Editor Emeritus ALFRED LIPSON TOGETHER 2 2002 NATIONAL COMMEMORATION OF THE DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE U.S. Capitol Rotunda April 9, 2002 Washington, D.C. “...It