By Kathy Clark
Kathy Clark is an Ottawa area author. She has written two novels for young adults based on the true experiences in Hungary of her mother and father during the Holocaust. The books, ‘Guardian Angel House’ and ‘The Choice’ are part of Second Story Press’s Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers.
In the spirit of hospitality, the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES) hosted a Sukkot luncheon for Shoah survivors and second and third generation descendants on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Kehillat Beth Israel Synagogue.
The event, attended by close to seventy five people, was both informative and a wonderful opportunity for Ottawa area survivors and descendants to meet, connect and share experiences.
The luncheon was opened by Mina Cohn, the director of CHES. Mina warmly welcomed everyone, introduced the survivors present and highlighted some of CHES’s achievements over the past year focusing on keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive. She was followed by Rabbi Kenter of Kehillat Beth Israel synagogue who spoke briefly about the meaning of Sukkot. Next, Minda Chaikin read a message by Edit Kuper, Co-president of The Canadian Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants (CJHSD) who unfortunately could not be there in person. All present then watched a thought provoking TEDx talk by Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt on Holocaust denial. A brief talk was then given by an award-winning Ottawa area teacher Patrick Mascoe who highlighted his work with young people and stressed the importance of Holocaust/character education. He encouraged the audience by pointing out that Character education is emphasized throughout the different schools in Ottawa and that children today are more open and have the tools to stand up for human rights.
Afterwards everyone had a chance to mingle and to enjoy a delicious lunch catered by Creative Kosher Catering. Dr. Peggy Kleinplatz, herself a Second Generation spoke briefly about her research project investigating the history of coerced medical interventions during the Shoah. She is trying to reach as many survivors as she can and invited the audience to contact her with any pertinent information.
In closing, Mina again thanked everyone for attending and highlighted some upcoming events organized by CHES. Everyone present expressed a sincere appreciation of such gatherings and for the valuable work done by CHES. All voiced the need for more such events and several 2nd and 3rd Generation showed an interest in working with CHES.
As a lapsed CHES member, my primary objective in attending this event was to re-connect briefly with some of the wonderful people I had met while volunteering for the organization over a year ago. However, after listening to the stimulating presentations and meeting a variety of new people, I found that my enthusiasm for the work that CHES is doing was re-kindled and I came away thinking of ways that I might once again get involved.
Have you personally encountered Holocaust denial or antisemitism? Have you ever had the opportunity to talk with a young person about the Holocaust and current forms of racism? Please share your experiences below.
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