Today, More Than Ever, The Memory of the Holocaust Lives with Us
This year in particular, our hearts and minds are with Holocaust survivors isolated in their homes.
By HAIM BIBASA HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR holds the hand of his granddaughter during the annual ‘March of the Living’ at Auschwitz in May 2019(photo credit: REUTERS/KACPER PEMPEL)
Today we will mark Holocaust Remembrance Day without the usual public ceremonies, without thousands of participants and without the physical presence of our dear Holocaust survivors. This year, we can only use our words to honor the memory of the millions of those who perished, whose memory we shall never forget.This year in particular, our hearts and minds are with Holocaust survivors isolated in their homes. Their mental strength and nobility are with them today during these trying times and serve as an inspiration to each and every one of us.The late Eli Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, writer and Nobel Prize winner once said, "There are victories of the soul and the spirit. Sometimes, even if you lose, you win.” These words can also be applied today. The global crisis affecting humanity brings us face to face with our own resilience, with our ability to stand together, firm and united in order to overcome. This ability was rooted within us through the souls of those who perished in pain and valor in camps, ghettos and mass graves. This ability was given to us by our grandfathers and grandmothers, who survived the horrors of the Holocaust and established for our nation and our people a strong state and gifted us the opportunity for a better life.Our tragic history and our loss of millions of Jews in the Holocaust have given us the legacy of this nation - the legacy of victory of spirit and soul.The memory of the Holocaust is a part of us, but we shall not but be content only with memorializing. We must remain vigilant in order to act against all manifestations of anti-Semitism and any phenomenon of racism and hatred of the Jewish people. We will continue to guard our Jewish brothers and sisters all over the world and to protect the lives of those in Israel and in the Diaspora. During this global crisis, the State of Israel has acted to bring home thousands of Israelis with a silent dedication and commitment to protecting their lives, their health and well-being in every situation. The State of Israel is also required, especially today, to ensure the safety and health of Holocaust survivors living among us in order to give them the life and respect that they so deserve.Today we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day without public ceremonies with thousands of participants but with our steadfast and united spirit. With the spirit of this nation, in this country, which, despite disputes and hardships, remembers and does not forget, knows forever, and will always do all it can to sanctify life.The writer is the chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel and Mayor of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut.
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