Yom Hashoah | Jewish Federation of Ocean County

YASHER KOACH AND BIG THANKS TO:

Ocean County and Lakewood PD

Rabbi William Gershon Cantor Daniel Green

Rabbi Michael Jay Cantor Ruth Green

Rabbi Michael Klein Cantor Jon Saouma

Rabbi Eli Perlman Cantor Vadim Yucht

Rabbi Chaim Respes pianist Ken Lipkowitz

OPENING REMARKS

Welcome everyone tonight to Ocean County's Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration.

This year, with the rise in antisemitism in our country and around the world - and with genocidal threats to wipe out the Jewish community in Israel - this commemoration takes on extra weight and meaning.

The need to learn from the tragedy of the Holocaust, is more urgent than ever. And yet the voices of Holocaust deniers and those who refuse to internalize the lessons of the Shoah are louder than ever.

That's why we at Beth Am Shalom, our synagogue partners, and the Jewish Federation want to thank you for joining us tonight. And want to urge you to continue showing up for your Jewish community and helping us combat hate in our community.

Your support, your voices, and your presence are so appreciated and critical.

We have a powerful program tonight, featuring prayer and readings, song, and the voice of Naomi Miller. Together, we can magnify the message that emerges from tonight.

Never again is more important than ever.

Naomi Miller, singer/actress/recording artist/educator, is a child of survivors. Born in a displaced person's camp in Landsberg, Germany, she came to the United States when she was 2 years old, along with her parents, the sole survivors of their families.

Naomi was privileged to perform her program, "You Are The Future," at Terezin (Theresienstadt) Concentration Camp's theatre where the imprisoned children who perished once sang. She has also performed this program in synagogues and churches, elementary and high schools, colleges and community centers, including several interfaith services.

Hi.

Everybody calls me Bubbe Zelda. My maiden name is Turkenitch. I am a Holocaust Survivor. Without help from the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, I would not be able to make ends meet or live on my own. They help me with my hearing aids, dentures, and eyeglasses, but the primary financial assistance is with the on-going expenses for my medications. The other major way they help me is with paying for a Home Health Aide. My aide helps with shopping, laundry, cleaning, bathing, and transportation to doctors. Without all of this, I would really look like the old woman that I am! Something else that has been a blessing is with lifting my spirits at the Café Europa socialization events. It is very good for all of us who have been through the same hell to get together and share our experiences. And last, but not least, we have wonderful staff members. Rita Sason, Director, and Laurie Salka, Holocaust Survivor Services Coordinator help us in any way possible. It is a great comfort to me, my family, and my neighbors who look out for me, to know that I have financial, homecare, and emotional support. For this I am sincerely thankful.

Bubbe Zelda