By Karen Gower
Valentine’s Day this year was a unique experience! Traditionally known as a day to express love and sentiment to those who are dear to you, Helping Hands Coalition sponsored a gathering to honour the 60 year anniversary of Israel and the 15 year anniversary of The Association of Concentration Camp and Ghetto Survivors (ACCGS).
The event was held in Nazareth, and when we arrived the rain was coming down so hard that I wondered how many people would have actually decided to show up. To my surprise it was almost too crowded to get into the foyer of the Rose Berkowitz Centre. Holocaust Survivors from all over Israel were invited and around 560 people attended the conference, from about 70 different cities around the country. Some had boarded buses at 6:00 am just to attend this important event. As we made our way through the many elderly people grouping in the foyer, it was a delight to see some dancing in couples to the live folk music being played for their enjoyment. Refreshments, sweet pastries and coffee, were also provided while we waited for the ceremonies to begin and for others who were still arriving. Entering the large hall, I suddenly realized I was surrounded by hundreds of grandparents, all with a story to tell, many of them horrific, yet they had survived and now were being remembered and loved for the suffering they had gone through. There was a long table high on the stage for distinguished guests, a sense of anticipation and yet a relaxed atmosphere. People began to find their seats and settle in so things could begin.
There were many official guests invited, including representatives of the Israeli Knesset, Israeli municipalities, Holocaust survivors associations, embassies, international Christian organizations, and local Israeli ministries. Team of Christian networks was represented by their German, Canadian, Netherlands, and Australian key leaders. All event was followed by the Israeli media, televised interview were taken. There were many speeches, a Victor Kagan who sang some songs in Russian from the ‘old country’, Shaul & Yulia Ben-Har playing violin and viola, poetry and more speeches.
Andre Gasiorowski, Executive General Manager of HHC in Israel, and Leszek David Lazovski - President of HHC, both shared from their hearts and about how they had wanted to bring this event together on Valentine's Day as an expression of love from people all around the world. Addressing the Holocaust Survivors, Andre spoke of how HHC had even received mail from as far away as China to say that over 100 million people were praying for them every day and counted them as friends. "We are proud you are here. You are our treasure and it is a privilege to know you."
A representative from Yad V’Shem (the Holocaust Museum) came and shared a short DVD. I watched the people as they watched the pictures, men and women drying their eyes, not as scenes merely played before them, but as actual memories flashed up on the big screen.
I noticed as the speeches continued, the old man beside me fell asleep a few times - it was a long day for many but they wanted to come, to remember, to be together, to be loved, to remind us not to forget.
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