Today Ann Cook and I had the honor of attending Yom Hashoah at Beth El Synagogue.  For those who do not know, Yom Hashoah is the Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration.  It is an annual event and is  supported by the rabbis, cantors and congregations of the community and the Jewish Federation of Jacksonville.  Different synagogues host the event and this year Beth El was the host.

The purpose of today's program was for a new generation to pledge to never forget.  The members of the congregation who were commemorating family all kindled flame.  It was a powerful and effective ceremony.  And our dear friend, Helena Zuber, attended and kindled.  It was a special moment for us. 

During the ceremony, Rabbi Lief read Psalm 51.  Additionally later in the program Psalm 137 was read.  The Jacksonville Children's Chorus sang beautifully.    

Dr. Guy Benrubi, spoke of how important it is to put names and faces to those who perished or to those who suffered and survived.  And Dr. Benrubi did just that.  He had pictures of his family and friends.  Some survived, but most did not.   He spoke a great deal about the history of the Jews from about 1492 up to the point of the holocaust.  In addition, he spoke of different holocausts.  Different towns and cities had different holocausts  based on how the people reacted to the enemy.  Were they willing to stand up to them or did they just do as they were told?  

Dr. Benrubi also wrote a book, which is an acclaimed medical textbook.  In his book, his dedication was to the friends who hid his family.  The Dr. asked if we knew if we would put our lives in danger to hide people in order to save them.  He said he did not know if he would. 

One thing rabbi Matuson stressed was to never sit idly by when someone else is being intimidated and discriminated against.  We must stand up to tyranny.  We can never forget, we must put names and faces to the hatred, and we must stand up to them.  And, we must forgive.   

We started the program with a blessing and we ended the program with a blessing.  Thank you rabbi Matuson and Beth El.  What a beautiful ceremony and powerful, very effective remembrance.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana