Diverse|City
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Learn about the Holocaust firsthand while you still can
May 17th, 2012 at Thu, 17th, 2012 at 3:50 pm by Gabrielle Nomura
Sometimes I forget how recently the Holocaust happened.
While my grandfather and his parents were living in a Japanese American Internment camp during World War II, across the North Atlantic Ocean, Jews were dying in a very different kind of camp — too unfathomable, horrific and hateful to accurately describe.
We can learn so much from the people who survived these atrocities. As a college student at WWU, I certainly had a profound experience when I got to hear Auschwitz survivor and Bellingham resident, Noémi Ban speak. She really put things into perspective for my angsty 19-year-old self. I listened as Ms. Ban described the joy she’s found in her life, her family and great-grandbabies — all proof that Hitler never got her. She was the one who triumphed in the end.
I was so moved and inspired by her courage, her resilience in the face of such tragedy, that from then on, the mundane trials and tribulations of young adulthood didn’t carry the same weight. I valued life in a way I never had before.
Young people can benefit tremendously from these elders. That’s why, whether you’re Jewish or not, I encourage you to go see Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau (pictured above as a child being held by a fellow Buchenwald survivor, 1945) speak during his historic visit to Seattle June 21–24.
Chief Rabbi Lau, former Chief Rabbi of Israel, at age 8, was one of the youngest survivors of Buchenwald.
Mark your calendar to join him this June for one or more of his inspiring talks around Jewish life today, and Holocaust remembrance.
If you go:
7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 21 at Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath: 5145 S. Morgan St., Seattle
Speech: “From Shoah to Rebirth” followed by a book signing.
8:25 a.m Shabbat Services, Saturday, June 23 at Congregation Ezra Bessaroth: 5217 S. Brandon St., Seattle
10:15am speech: “I believe. Even in the Holocaust.”
Noon Lunch and speech: “What Makes the Jewish People One Nation”
Lunch: ($20 per family) must be reserved and prepaid.
RSVP: RabbiLauSeattle@gmail.com
7 p.m., Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath: 5145 S. Morgan St., Seattle
Speech: “In Praise of Peace and in Condemnation of Conflict”
8 p.m., Sephardic Bikur Holim, 6500 52nd Avenue St., Seattle
Shabbat Afternoon Services
8:30pm Speech: “Education: The Foundation of the Continuity of the Jewish People”
All lectures are free
Gabrielle Nomura is a journalist with a multicultural background and a passion for diversity stories. Her articles appear in Bellevue Reporter, NW Asian Weekly, The Bellingham Herald and the blog, Seattle Dances. Follow on Twitter: @GabrielleKazuko.
More articles by Gabrielle Nomura >
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