05/01/2025
Families of Holocaust Survivors Share Heroic Stories
Members of the HaZamir Cleveland, a chapter of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” to more than 500 attendees to open the Yom Hashoah commemoration on April 23 at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike. CJN Photo / Abigail Preiszig
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
by Abigail Preiszig
More than 500 community members at the Yom Hashoah commemoration on April 23 were encouraged to listen, remember and share the stories of Holocaust survivors.
The evening’s theme, “Then and now,” brought forth stories of families who have been affected by the atrocities of the Holocaust and now have future generations who are able to share their story, Erica Hirsh, event co-chair, said as she welcomed the attendees at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.
“As Jews and people of all faiths alike, we must come together like we are this evening to commemorate, memorialize and to never forget,” she said.
The stories of Holocaust survivors Annamarie “Mimi” Klein, Sylvia Malcmacher, Ben Nebel, Therese “Toby” Slomovic and Harry Spitz were shared by the next generation during the candlelighting ceremony.
The speakers detailed the hardships faced by their families, including forced relocation, imprisonment in concentration camps and the loss of loved ones, emphasizing the resilience and determination of survivors, who rebuilt their lives in the United States after the war.
Additionally, Harry Abraham gave firsthand testimony alongside his daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughters.
Sean Martin, curator for Jewish studies at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, reflected on the theme and his efforts to teach about the Holocaust.
“We must guard against the gradual development of views that deceive us and lead us to ignore what is human about our neighbors,” he said. “This focus may help future leaders to understand that the goal should be not just the prevention of violence, but the creation of an environment in which individuals of all backgrounds are equally respected and valued.”
Lindsay Friedman, event co-chair and education director of Kol Israel Foundation in Pepper Pike, encouraged attendees to ensure their children and grandchildren “are prepared and ready to keep these stories alive so the world never forgets.”
“We must continue to educate in current and future generations to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust are used to fight today’s rising antisemitism and prevent history from repeating itself,” she said.
The program began with the presentation of colors by Jewish War Veterans, the March of Generations and a Torah scroll procession by representatives from Congregation Mishkan Or in Beachwood, B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, Congregation Shaarey Tikvah in Beachwood, Gross Schechter Day School in Pepper Pike, Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Synagogue in Lyndhurst and Temple Israel Ner Tamid in Mayfield Heights.
Rabbi Joshua Jacobs, assistant rabbi of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, greeted attendees.
Rabbi Matthew J. Eisenberg of Temple Israel Ner Tamid delivered the invocation.
Kol Israel Foundation in Pepper Pike and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood organized the program.
Robert Zelwin, president of Kol Israel Foundation, and Daniel Zelman, board chair of the Federation, delivered remarks.
Members of the HaZamir Cleveland, a chapter of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir, sang throughout the commemoration.
Cantor Alyssa Rosenbaum of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation led the memorial prayers.
