Over 1,000 Holocaust Survivors filled the halls of the Young Israel of Beth El for the Nachas Health Holocaust Remembrance Day this past Thursday, May 29th. The event marked the culmination of a successful partnership between Nachas and the Lazar Consulting Group.

“On Saturday night, May 27, 1944, the first night of Shavous, my family arrived at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. That is only 64 short years ago, and the world has already forgotten.” Joe Lazar, Master of Ceremonies for the event said, “Today, around the world, Anti-Semitism is flourishing, and no one is speaking up. There are Jews that are being persecuted just for being Jews. Even in Israel, Jews are being killed daily, and their only crime is being Jewish. There are daily bombings in cities like Sderot and even the Israeli government is remaining silent. When will we ever learn?”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a child of Holocaust survivors and activist for Jews and Jewish causes in NYC, and around the world, introduced William Thompson Jr., New York City Comptroller, to deliver the keynote address.

“We remember the Holocaust first and foremost never to forget… At a time when the world has seen renewed ethnic conflict – in Rwanda, Darfur, Serbia and, most recently, in Kenya, the risk we take in averting our eyes is all too obvious,” Comptroller Thompson said. Comptroller Thompson also commented on the current rise of Anti-Semitic violence in New York, concluding, “on this day of remembrance we rededicate ourselves to overcoming these expressions of hate in our time.” Borough President Marty Markowitz passionately delivered his thoughts to the assembled crowd as well. Rebbitzen Esther Jungreis, noted author and Holocaust survivor, addressed the survivors in a concluding speech and the program closed with Kel Malei sung by renowned cantor Benzion Miller.

In addition to honoring the Holocaust survivors themselves, the event honored diplomats from China, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Japan and Spain for their efforts aiding Jews during the war. The honorees received beautiful works of art, by noted artist Jodi Reznik.

Joe Lazar closed the memorial by calling on the survivors, their children and grandchildren, to join with him in calling on Yeshivos to teach children about the holocaust, as we teach about the exodus from Egypt. “That is the only way to perpetuate the memory of those who perished”.

The event was sponsored by the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Maimonides Medical Center, Marks Law Firm, the Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center, and Astoria Federal Savings.