ʲʰʩʬʠʮ ʩʣ
D E M A L Y E N E NEWSLETTER
OF
THE
VIRGINIA
HOLOCAUST
A Word About Our Title
MUSEUM
VOLUME
X,
NUMBER
2,
2008
2008 NEILSON J. NOVEMBER AWARD DINNER HONORING DR. EUGENE P. TRANI
In the slang of Eastern European Jews, “de malyene” meant “a hiding place.” De malyene is where you
by Leigh Weedon
would protect your most precious valuables — gold, jewels or even a small child. Or yourself. Make a resolution not to hide,
From left to right: Neilson J. November, Dr. Eugene P. Trani (Award Receipent), and His Excellency Governor Timothy M. Kaine.
but to come experience the Virginia Holocaust Museum and all it has to share. With many programs and events happening in the upcoming months, we invite you to come share your time with us. We welcome your comments about De Malyene and about the Virginia Holocaust Museum. See the back page for our contact information. And thank you for supporting us.
O
n October 26, 2008, over 375 people gathered at the Virginia Holocaust Museum to help honor Dr. Eugene P. Trani. His excellency Timothy M. Kaine presented Dr. Trani with the 5th Annual Neilson J. November Award. Delegate Franklin P. Hall also presented a resolution on behalf of the Virginia General Assembly commending the Virginia Holocaust Museum for all of its efforts. Stuart C. Siegel, Committee Chairman, spoke of Virginia Commonwealth
Your gift to the Virginia Holocaust Museum could double in value if your employer has a matching gift program. Please ask your human
University’s long-standing relationship with the Virginia Holocaust Museum. From the earliest inception of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, students from VCU’s art school volunteered their time and effort, painting murals throughout the Museum. Even to this day, VCU maintains a close connection to the Virginia Holocaust Museum, sending several interns each semester to the Museum to offer valuable help in the day to day operations of the Museum.
resources office to match your contribution to the Museum.
Dr. Trani has served as the President of Virginia Commonwealth University since 1990. In his tenure as President, VCU has grown and expanded, playing a major role in both the metropolitan and state community.
From the President
What do people say about us? “We have been to many Holocaust museums. This is the best.” “It made us feel as though we were there.” “We learned more here about the Holocaust than at any other museum.” How did all this happen? Let me start at the beginning. One morning, Al Rosenbaum and Mark Fetter came to my office on Cary Street, at American Parts Co., and said to me. “Let’s start a Holocaust museum.” My reply? “You guys are crazy! We have the best one in Washington. What do we need one here for?.” Well the rest, if you want to know...just call me for the details. Al Rosenbaum is an artist, with a fantastic eye. We had no money for anything, so we looked for volunteers. In preparing our old site, Mark Fetter got more paint on him than on the walls - but soon we found skillful volunteers, and the museum took off. We could not accommodate the requests for tours. On a recommendation from a friend I heard about 2000 East Cary St., and with Congressman Eric Cantors’ help (who was then a state legislator) the State of Virginia legislature voted to give us the old Climax Building warehouse that once belonged to American Tobacco. There were a lot of legal issues, so I turned to Jay M. Weinberg, a long-time friend of my Fathers’, “of blessed memory”. Jay, for those that don’t already know, is the top real-estate legal expert in Virginia. Of course we didn’t have $100.00 to spare, and only one paid staff person whose salary was paid for by Neil November, Selma Brown and the Richmond Jewish Federation. I told Jay our predicament, and he said, “There will be no fees for the legal work, but you are going to need a parking lot, the city will require it.” My reply was “You are the best there is, please work it out. We don’t have any money.” There was a lot across from the building that at one time was Smith Junk yard. They wanted $350,000 for it. I left Jay’s office, not the happiest of campers, and headed back to 213 Roseneath Rd., where the old museum was located. This was on a Thursday. I soon got a call from Neil; Marcus Weinstein wants you to call him in Florida. Richmond is cold in February. So I called, and Marcus said, “I hear you need a parking lot. Can you come by my office on Monday morning at nine?” When I walked into Marcus’ office, he said to me “Jay and I just bought your parking lot for $500,000.” But he wanted $350,000, just a few days ago. “Well, we did not want to argue with him. And you will need money to build. I have taken care of that too.” I called Al Rosenbaum with the good news. Our second staff member was Dianna Gabay - a very talented graphics designer who transferred from New York to live here. Al and Dianna, along with volunteers from all walks of life and with all sorts of a talents, including art students from VCU under the direction of Janet Gilmore Bryant, started formulating our vision. Our latest exhibit, the Nuremberg Courtroom, has stopped time. The reality of this would not have been possible were it not for the talents of Al, Dianna, and the craftsmanship of Marc Cohen and his staff. We have advanced in many more areas. We have one of the best reference libraries, thanks to the generosity of Carole Weinstein. Our distance learning center is well on its way, thanks to some local foundations. The University of Richmond and the Museum co-sponsor a Teacher Education Institute on Holocaust Education giving the participating teachers 3 post-graduate points, and enhancing their ability to teach about that horrific time in our history. We have had special one day classes for police officers where over 700 have taken advantage of this in-service training. American Inns of Court have held a seminar in the Nuremberg Courtroom. Schools from as far as 4 hours away have come to take advantage of our docent lead tours. We have just purchased an Idea data system, that is used by every museum in Israel and one other here in the U.S., that will put a searchable data base on our Web pages which are being updated by our own Leigh Weedon, my right hand. Tim Hensley, our librarian, with help from volunteers, is digiitizing many documents donated by Charles Sydnor (cont’d on pg. 15)
VHM Research Oral History Archive launches online testimony project by Tim Hensley In May 1997, the Virginia Holocaust Museum began recording oral history testimony of local survivors. Dubbed the Research Oral History Archives (ROHA), the project quickly expanded to encompass liberators, righteous, and witnesses from across the region. With over 200 recorded interviews, the collection contains a vast depository of personal experiences that are useful to researchers; yet with only a paper filing-system, it’s been difficult, if not impossible, for interested scholars to know what the Museum can provide. In order to address this problem, the Museum began The VHM’s first online interview was Helen abstracting and cataloging the interviews in the summer Zimm. Born in Lodz, Poland, she survived the of 2007. Over the last year, we’ve managed to index 146 war by obtaining a forged birth certificate and DVDs. In essence, this constitutes the first phase of our going into hiding in Warsaw. project. The second stage will include creating full, textbased transcripts of each tape, which will be followed by digitizing and storing the entire collection online, allowing anyone with internet access the ability to view these interviews. As we continue with this initial phase, we’ve already started preparing for the second and third stages. In order to create an enhanced on-line presence, the Museum is digitizing short, five-minute clips that are now viewable on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/vaholocaust). In addition, because of the Virginia-based focus of our collection, we’ve recently been named as a Regional Depository for the USC Shoah Foundation, which will enable us to use their recordings and transcripts. Without question, these interviews are one of the most valuable resources the Museum owns. Collectively, they can provide researchers with the kind of broad, thematic foundation that is often needed for high school and undergraduate work, as well as the level of specificity that would allow a professional to unearth new discoveries.
Educational Programs
Melton Graduate Class: The Holocaust As Reflected in Journals
Facing History and Ourselves Hitler Youth: How They Were Shaped and the Lessons of Today February 26th 9: 00 - 3:00 p.m. The Virginia Holocaust Museum and the Joint Holocaust Education Committee will be sponsoring a workshop on Hitler Youth. For information call Rena Berlin, Director of Education, 804.257.5400 ext. 234 or rberlin@va-holocaust.com.
January 22 - March 26 (10 weeks) Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. $145 Member / $175 Non-Member Instructors: Rena Berlin, Director of Education & Tim Hensley, Librarian, VHM. The day-to-day life of the Jew living under Nazi occupation will be examined. This will be done not in the abstract but from a personal vantage point by utilizing journals and diaries. To register contact Rebecca Kalman-Winston at rwinston@weinsteinjcc.org. 3
UPCOMING EVENTS All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
LECTURER: SARA GINAITE-RUBINSON January 25th at 2 p.m. Ms. Ginaite-Rubinson will speak about working with the communist underground in the ghetto, fighting the Nazis directly as a member of a partisan detachment. She will also be signing copies of her book Resistance and Survival: The Jewish Community in Kaunas 1941-1944.
5th ANNUAL FILM SERIES: Documentary by awer bul February 1st at 2 p.m.
who had been asked to wear yellow stars, in a show of solidarity with the victims of this tragedy. The Keynote Speaker for the commemoration was Ambassador (Ret.) Marc Grossman, the former United States Ambassador to Turkey. In his comments, Ambassador Grossman addressed, at length, the importance of the oft repeated sentiment “never again.” Never again must the world allow evil of the kind perpetrated in Europe during the Holocaust to rear its head. To this end, Amb. Grossman spoke about how important it was that President Clinton mobilized American troops in the Middle East when genocide and government-sanctioned violence reappeared in Kosovo in the early and mid-nineties. When the United States took an active stand against
Mr. Bul will discuss his experiences during the Sudanese Civil War, his life as a Lost Boy and how art saved his life. Some of Mr. Bul’s paintings will be on display throughout February and March.
LECTURER: DR. GREGORY STANTON February 15th at 2 p.m. Dr. Stanton wrote the Eight Stages of Genocide, which is the best and most complete work on exactly what genocide is and how to properly identify and address it.
70th ANNIVERSARY OF KRISTALLNACHT by Matt Simpson On November 9, the Virginia Holocaust Museum, in conjunction with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and Emek Shalom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery, hosted the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass.” On this night in 1938, civilians across Germany and Austria took to the streets in the first act of the kind of organized, government-sanctioned violence against Jews that would become commonplace in the following months and years. Seventy years later, the Richmond community and its Holocaust survivors paused to reflect on this tragedy. The program was attended by state dignitaries Hon. Eric Cantor and Del. Brian Moran, both of whom addressed the more than two-hundred-and-seventy people in attendance,
Above: Tommy Baer (2nd generation Survivor) and Alex Keisch (Holocaust Survivor) lit candles at the Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery.
genocide, said Grossman, the challenge of “Never Again!” was met. The task, however, of combating hatred of this kind is an unending one, the crowd was warned. As we are seeing today, especially in places across Africa, we still live in an age of genocide, and must be ever mindful of this.The Museum was also presented with a Resolution from the Virginia General Assembly, presented by Moran, and a Presidential Proclamation, presented by Cantor, which recognized and praised both the event itself, and the Museum. The museum portion of the program concluded with the blowing of the Shofar by Museum Director and Holocaust survivor Jay M. Ipson. Rabbi I.B. Koller then carried out the Holocaust Torah, followed by the Holocaust survivors in attendance. Afterwards, the program’s attendees reassembled at Emek Shalom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery.
In Memory of our dear friend jim regan
I
n October of 2007, the Museum lost a dedicated volunteer and friend, when Jim Regan lost his year-long fight with pancreatic cancer. On the anniversary of his death, it seems appropriate to reflect on our connection, and why he felt like family.
If you saw the two of us together you’d likely wonder what we had in common. The truth is, we had differing opinions on almost everything – music, politics, social issues, sports, hobbies, literature – you name it, we didn’t agree. Yet, it never mattered. As he often said, he appreciated that we could have a conversation and knew that his opinion was respected, even if we didn’t share the same point of view. The truth is there was never anything to argue about because Jim and I were -- as our families might say – “cut from the same cloth.” We’re from the same country. If you flew from his hometown to mine, you would travel less than seventy miles across the mountains of North Carolina. It was this happenstance of geography, I believe, that gave us a uniquely similar outlook on life. When Jim was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he made plans for a private graveside with full military honors; he also made plans for a funeral service which included a live band, a coffin filled with beer, and no tolerance for tearful goodbyes. It’s the kind of thing our people do. While such things may seem strange to some, it’s a reminder to me that no matter how far we are from home, we’re always discovering new family members. - Timothy Hensley
Miriam “Margaret”Shuman 1921 - 2008 Ms. Shuman, a Holocaust Survivor, died on November 20, 2008. The Virginia Holocaust Museum mourns the loss of this important member of our community. She volunteered for the Jewish Community Center’s Food Bank and was a member of the grand singing group. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family. Please look for a full page memoriam in the next editon of de Maylene.
Ms. Shuman lighting at candle at the 2008 Yom HaShoah Observance at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. 5
Events At The Museum SEPTEMBER Linda Goodman reads excerpts from Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird during the Censorship: War Over Words program.
october On October 26th, the Museum held its annual Neilson J. November Award Dinner. Over 375 people were in attendance.
Museum dedicates the Purple Heart Jewel from the The 42nd Rainbow Division battalion soldiers who helped liberate Dachau on April 29, 1945. From left to right: Pete Pettus and Jim Clemons.
Above: Bud Brodecki, Sonia Brodecki, Alan Zimm (Holocaust Survivors) and Jeremy McMahon.
From left to right: Stuart C. Siegel, Committee Chairman, His Excellency Governor Timothy M. Kaine, and Dr. Eugene P. Trani (Award Receipent).
From left to right: Mr. and Mrs. Jay M. Weinberg, and Delegate Brian J. Moran. Above: Bishop Walter Sullivan and Chris Habenicht. Left: Henry Valentine and Carole Weinstein.
november Marcus M. Weinstein, Chairman of the Board, Jay M. Ipson, Founder and Executive Director accept a resolution from Delegate Franklin P. Hall on behalf of the Virginia General Assembly.
Congressman Eric I. Cantor (VHM Board Member) presented a proclamation from President George W. Bush during the 70th commemoration of Kristallnacht. Photo Courtesy of Richmond Times Dispatch.
Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Professor and expert on the Middle East, pictured in the Nuremberg Trials Courtroom Exhibit.
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The museum would like to thank all of its generous benefactors of 2008 (January 1 - November 14, 2008)
$25,000 or more $5,000 - $9,999 Ben & Zelda G. Cohen Foundation Mr. Richard Davison Richard & Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Mr. Richard B. Brandt, Ph.D. Mr. & Mrs. Marcus Weinstein/ Management Co., Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Arenstein The Brink’s Company
$1,000 - $4,999
Dr. Eugene P. Trani and Helen Zimm (Holocaust Survivor).
$10,000 - $24,999 ArtsFund Mr. Robert M. Atack Hirschler Fleischer The Lipman Foundation MCV Foundation Philip Morris USA Ukrop’s Super Markets, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Jay M. Weinberg Mr. & Mrs. Marty D. Wolf University of Richmond VCU Foundations
Anderson & Strudwick Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Bernstein Andrea L. Bridgeman, Esq. Cathedral of The Sacred Heart Comcast The Community Foundation Covington International Travel Mr. & Mrs. John Doswell Ms. Maya M. Eckstein First Market Bank Ms. Joy H. Gerson Glaxosmithkline Foundation Leslie A. Grandis, Esq. The Harry & Harriet Grandis Family Mr. Lee C. Hartman, Jr. HCA Richmond Health system Hickory Middle School Hunton & Williams
Ric Arenstein (VHM Trustee) and Andy Brownstein. Judy and Chick Becker (VHM Trustee).
Carol Shapiro and Sonia Brodecki (Holocaust Survivors).
From left to right: Halina Zimm, Helen Zimm, Jay M. Ipson, Simone Schwarz (Holocaust Survivors). Back row: Matt Simpson.
$1,000 - $4,999 $1,000 - $4,999 Mr. & Mrs. Jay M. Ipson Janice & Stanley Sussman Family Joseph W. Bliley Company Inc Mr. Harold J. Katz Keith-Fabry Reproduction LandAmerica Financial Group Inc LeClairRyan Mr. & Mrs. Bernard J. Levey Mr. & Mrs. Eugene M. Levin Library of Virginia Lloyd C.Bird High School Mr. & Mrs. Manuel G. Loupassi McGuireWoods LLC Florence & Hyman Meyers Family Mr. & Mrs. James T. Monroe Dr. & Mrs. Richard L. Morrill The Hon. John M. O’Bannon, II Pearson Infiniti Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan S. Perel Dr. & Mrs. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. Pincus Paul Charitable Trust Prestige Construction Group, Inc Rabbi’s Fund of Congregation Beth Ahabah Mr. & Mrs. Craig Rader Richmond Jewish Foundation Mr. Daniel Rosenbloom Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert M. Rosenthal Rotary Club of South Richmond Mr. Louis H. Salomonsky & Dr. Anita Salomonsky Sam’s Club Foundation Scott & Stringfellow Mr. & Mrs. Stuart C. Siegel
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas G. Snead, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. I. N. Sporn Sterling Management Temple Beth-El Minyonaires The Barr Foundation United Jewish Fed. of Tidewater Universal Leaf Tobacco Mr. E. Massie Valentine Mr. Henry L. Valentine, II Mr. & Mrs. Ralph M. Warrington Ms. Mollie Weinstein Mr. & Mrs. Steven R. Williams
Diane Marsh and Senator Henry L. Marsh, III.
Hyde Loupassi and Carol Loupassi.
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High School Ms. Helen S. M. Blackwood $999 - Below Dr. Allan Blank Mr. & Mrs. Louis S. Adams Hon. & Mrs. Thomas J. Bliley Dr. Barbara J. Adler Blue Ridge School Bluefield College Dr. Susan J. Albert Mr. & Mrs. Peter S. Blumberg Mr. & Mrs. Alex Alexander Mr. & Mrs. Ben S. Blumenthal The Honorable & Mrs. George Mr. & Mrs. David Bobrowitz F. Allen Ms. Dina S. Boettcher Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity Cantor Annie Bornstein Altavista High School Ms. Edith G. Brenner Altria Employee Involvement Mr. & Mrs. J. Alfred Broaddus, Jr. Programs Mr. & Mrs. Boleck H. Brodecki Mr. & Mrs. Franco Ambrogi Brookland Middle School Mr. & Mrs. Bert L. Anker Mr. & Mrs. Stephen R. Brothers Mr. & Mrs. Reynaldo A. Aponte Dr. & Mrs. Donald S. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell L. Appelrouth Arthritis Foundation Virginia Chapter Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Brown Ms. Selma G. Brown Mr. Stephen Y. Aryan Mr. Patrick E. Bruckart Ms. Hella Atkins Ms. Eva S. Brummer Mr. & Mrs. D. Eugene Atkinson Mr. & Mrs. David C. Bubes Atlantic Shores Christian School Reverend & Mrs. Nicholas G. Bacalis Mr. Larry A. Buckman Mr. & Mrs. R. H. Bunzl Mr. & Mrs. Tommy P. Baer Dr. & Mrs. David D. Burhans Mr. & Mrs. Ryland Y. Bailey Ms. Elizabeth Camp Bailey Bridge Middle School Mr. & Mrs. Edward S. Carl Mr. & Mrs. Carl Baird Mr. & Mrs. Beauchamp C. Carr Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Banks Ms. Adrienne Cennamo Mr. & Mrs. Howard Baranker Mr. & Mrs. R. Harvey Chappell, Jr. Ms. Jean T. Barlow Ms. Leila Christenbury Mr. & Mrs. Walter J. Barlow, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Clark Mr. John N. Baronian Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Clayman Bayside Middle School Ms. Gloria Ann Click Mr. & Mrs. Charles N. Becker Ms. Beryl Cohen Ms. Melanie B. Becker Mr. & Mrs. Marc K. Cohen Bedford Elementary School Annex Mr. & Mrs. Matthew L. Cohen Amb (Ret) & Mrs Randolph M. Bell Mr. & Mrs. Rick Cohen Mr. & Mrs Elliott B. Bender Mr. Harry L. Cohn Mr. & Mrs. Jay Berger Mr. & Mrs. Alan J. Colker Mr. Allan H. Bergman Collegiate Schools Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Berlin Congregation Kol Emes/ Mr. & Mrs. Philip G. Berman Young Israel Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Bernstein Mr. & Mrs. Howard Coplan Ms. Meryl R. Bernstein Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Copland Mr. & Mrs. Steven W. Bernstein Mr. James E. Corbett, Jr. Beth Sholom Home Of Central Va Mr. & Mrs. Arthur B. Cowardin Ms. Teresa A. Bettino Ms. Debra K. Craghead Mr. Bobby Bigwood Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School Mr. Aaron A. Cramer
Crestwood Middle School Mr. Bernard S. Cytryn Ms. Clara Daniels Dr. & Mrs. Daniel N. Davidow Ms. Tammy Y. Day Ms. Ellen Dembice Alan A. Dershowitz, Esq. Mr. & Mrs. Alan A. Diamonstein Mr. & Mrs. Stanwood Dickman Mr. & Mrs. Craig R. Dods Mr. James L. Doherty Mr. & Mrs. Marcel Drimer Mr. & Mrs. Daniel W. Dubansky Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth M. Dye Mr. Norman D. Eddleton Mr. Gary Effron Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Einhorn Mr. & Mrs. Howard Elford Ms. Ginny W. Engler Mr. Michael J. Epstein Ms. Jennifer Zeiger- Etters Dr. & Mrs. Nathan B. Evens Falling Creek Middle School Ms. Maralyn Farber Mr. Charles Feldman Mr. Mark E. Fetter Ms. Yawana Fields Fife Family Foundation Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Henry Fine Mr. & Mrs. Jack P. Fine Mr. Myron A. Fine Mr. Robert C. Fix Mr. Richard J. Flax Mr. & Mrs. Seth J. Fleishman Fluvanna Middle School Ms. Mary K. Flynt Dr. & Mrs. William M. Fogel Mr. & Mrs. Anthony J. Frank Mr. & Mrs. Edward H. Friedman Mr. & Mrs. Frank R. Friedman Ms. Lillian Friedman Ms. Toby Ann Friedman Mr. & Mrs. H. Allen Frise Fritz’s Car Care, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Fromer Mr. & Mrs. Tom Fulop Mr. & Mrs. David Furman Mr. & Mrs. Charles Furrow Mr. & Mrs. Barry B. Gabay
Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Galanti Ms. Sharon M. Garrett Ms. Helen R. Gary Ms. Martha P. Gayle Mr. & Mrs. Paul Gee Mr. & Mrs. Norman J. Geller Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Genderson Ms. Cissy Gershman Ms. Diane B. Getzen Mr. & Mrs. Howard M. Gibbs Maj. & Mrs. Richard Gibian Gildersleeve Middle School Mr. & Mrs. Jordan E. Ginsburg Mr. & Mrs. Brian Glass Dr. & Mrs. Eugene Glock Ms. Amory R. Goldberg Dr. & Mrs. Leonard S. Goldberg Mr.& Mrs. Mason Goldberg Mr. & Mrs. Roy Goldberg Mr. & Mrs. Ralph M. Goldstein Ms. Zippi C. Goldstein Mr. & Mrs. Elias Goldwasser Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Gomperts Dr. & Mrs. Peter L. Goodman Ms. Rivka M. Gorbaty Mr. Saul D. Gorman Ms. Patricia R. Graham Ms. Elaine D. Grandis Mr. Tony Grappone Dr. & Mrs. Tom H. Graves Mr. & Mrs. Lonny S. Green Ms. Susan G. Greenbaum Ms. Barbara K. Greenberg Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Greenebaum Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey A. Greentree Mr. & Mrs. Michael B. Griff Mr. & Mrs. David B. Grizzle Groome Transportation of Georgia, Inc Dr. & Mrs. Alan Gropper Mr. & Mrs. William K. Gross Mr. & Mrs. Ned M. Grossberg Mr. & Mrs. Frank Grossman Mr. Gilbert P. Grossman Mr. Paul Grossman Mr. & Mrs. Morton B. Gulak Mr. Henry Gunst, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Sidney J. Gunst The Hon. & Mrs. John H. Hager
Halifax County Middle School Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Halpern Mr. Oscar Halpert Mr. Brenton S. Halsey Mr. Mark Hammers Mr. & Mrs. Neal Hanchey Mr. & Mrs. David G. Handschuh Mr. & Mrs. Milan E. Hapala, Jr Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hardman The Honorable Frank D. Hargrove, Sr. Ms. Deborah J. Harley Mr. & Mrs. Charles Harowitz Ms. Dorothy W. Harowitz Mr. & Mrs. Clay M. Harper, II Ms. Lavinia C. Harrison Mr. & Mrs. William S. Hastings, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Haykin HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hosp.of Virginia Ms. Marcia P. Heffron Mr. John G. Hekman Dr. & Mrs. Robert A. Heller Mr. George H. Hettrick Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Hetzel Ms. Vivian H. Hiedemann Hildur Swanson Foundation Mr. Hans G. Hirsch Dr. & Mrs. Jerry I. Hirsch Ms. Elaine Hoffman Mr & Mrs Nathan Hoffman Mr. & Mrs. Harold Horowitz Ms. Harriet Horowitz Ms. Marcy Horwitz Dr. & Mrs. S. Harold Horwitz Mr. & Mrs. Randy C. Howard Mr. & Mrs. Julius Hurwitz Mr. & Mrs. Georg G. Iggers Ms. Elizabeth L. Imburg Ms. Sarah M. Ipson-Minter Mr. & Mrs. Fred Itzkowitz Ms. Annette Jackson Mr. & Mrs A. Cecil Jacobs Mr. & Mrs. Burton H. Jaffe Mr. Robert Jaffee Ms. Carol B. Jarett Mr. Russell G. Jennings Mr. & Mrs. Loren D. Johnson Ms. Carol T. Jones Mr & Mrs. Ronald S. Kallman
Ms. Willa S. Kalman Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kaplowitz Mr. & Mrs. James P. Kastelberg Mr & Mrs. Robert Kastenbaum Mr. & Mrs. David Katz Mr. Michael R. Katz Mr. & Mrs. Sam D. Katzen Dr. & Mrs. Arthur Y. Kavit Dr. Grace C. Kay Ms. Janice A. Kean Ms. Debra M. Keeling Ms. Norma A. Keeping Capt. Alex Keisch Ms. Suzanne G. Keller Mr. & Mrs. Thomas F. Kelley, III Mr. & Mrs. William H. Kittner Mr. & Mrs. Philip W. Klaus, Jr. Mr. Stuart I. Kleiman Ms. Beatrice T. Klein Rabbi & Mrs. Hal N. Klestzick Ms. Mary Beth Klick Ms. Barbara Knapp Mr. John T. Kneebone Mr. & Mrs. Joseph T. Knox Ms. Celeste G. Kocen Mr. Ehud Koch Rabbi & Mrs. I.B. Koller Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Koni Koff Ms. Mildred Kopet Mr. & Ms. Timur Korshin Ms. Rosalie C. Koslow Kraft Foods Matching Gifts Program Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Kravitz Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Kravitz Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Krebs, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Leslie Kreisler Ms. Roxie Kricorian Mr. & Mrs. John L. Krug Ms. Amy M. Krumbein L. Douglas Wilder Middle School Ms. Anita Lane Mr. David A. Lapkin Ms. Hedy S. Lapkin Mr. & Mrs. Alan Laskoe Mr. Charles R. Lawson Mr. & Mrs. Daniel W. Lawson Ms. Tonya J. Lawson Mr. Alex Lebenstein 11
Mr. & Mrs. Eli H. Lesser Mr. & Mrs. Stephen V. Levee Dr. & Mrs. Franklin L. Levin Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Levin Mr. Jerome N. Levine Ms. Shirley D. Levine Ms. Helen G. Levinson Dr. Donald G. Levitin Mr. Frederick A. Levy, LCSW Ms. Ina Levy Mr. & Mrs. John Levy Mr. & Mrs. Bennett I. Lewis Liberty Middle School Dr . & Mrs. Steven A. Linas Dr. & Mrs. Abraham Linder Mr. Roger Linker Mr. Charles W. Love Mr. & Mrs. Todd Mason Love Ms. Betty W. Loving Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Lowenstein Dr. & Mrs. David A. Lowitz Mr. & Mrs. Sherman B. Lubman Ms. Mary Parke Macfarlane Ms. Barbara J. MacIntyre Manchester Middle School Mr. John B. Mann Ms. Selma R. Mann Ms. Yvonne M. Marcus Ms. Carol A. Marine Markel Corporation Ms. Pearl K. Markham Dr. Michael Markowitz The Marks Foundation Mr. & Mrs. George C. Marshall Maryland Sch. For Jewish Education Inc. Ms. Linda W. Mays Mr. & Mrs. John P. McCann Mr. & Mrs. John R. McGill Mr. & Mrs. John McMahon Mr. & Mrs. Vladimir N. Mednikova Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Mendel Mr. & Mrs. Ted R. Metzger Mr. & Mrs. Arnold I. Meyer Dr. & Mrs. Edward C. Meyer Mr. Jeffrey R. Michel Midlothian Women’s Club Ms. Lillian Milkin Mr. & Mrs. Augustus C. Miller
Mr. & Mrs. C. Marvin Miller Dr. Elbert G. Miller Ms. Geraldine Miller Dr. & Mrs. Grayson B. Miller, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Julius S. Miller Ms. Margot M. Miller Millwood School Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Milsky Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Milstead Mr. & Mrs. Terry Minter Mr. & Mrs. Carlton P. Moffatt, Jr. Mr. Aleck Mollen Dr. & Mrs. Allen J. Mollen Mr. & Mrs. Henry Moncure Montgomery County Public School Ms. Michele M. Monti Mr. Abby W. Moore Ms. Anna B. Moore Mr. & Mrs. Allan Mullian Mr. & Mrs. Richard Murad Bert Nachman, Esq. Ms. Rosalie L. Nachman Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Ms. Shirley Needleman Mr. & Mrs. Tayloe Negus Mr. & Mrs. Fred N. Newman Ms. Phyllis A. Nordin North Carolina Hillel Foundation Nottoway Middle School Mr. & Mrs. Neil J. November Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. November Mr. & Mrs. Bari B. Novey Mr. R.E. Noziglia Mr. & Mrs. Aubrey W. Nunnally, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan F. Nystrom Ms. Patty A. O’Connor Mr. & Mrs. David R. Oser Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Padgett Page Middle School Mr. & Mrs. Larry I. Palmer Ms. Veronika R. Pasternak Ms. Barbara D. Paterson Mr. James A. Payne Ms. Margaret S. Pearson Mr. & Mrs. Joel H. Peck Ms. Ulyana Pekar Dr. Marcia Penn Ms. Lisa M. Pennington Ms. Tatyana Perelman
Ms. Louise Perry Dr. & Mrs. Samuel E. Perry, Jr Mr. Mark M. Person Dr. & Mrs. David A. Peskin Ms. Jackie B. Petroff Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Peyton Mr. Peter P. Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey H. Pinsky Dr. & Mrs. Lew Pliamm Dr. Sara Pliamm Ms. Catherine Plotkin Mr. & Mrs. Jack Polak Mr. & Mrs. Mark Pomeranz Mr. & Mrs. Norris N. Porter Mr. & Mrs. Joseph E. Preissner, Jr. Judge & Mrs Robert A. Pustilnik Queens Lake Middle School Dr. & Mrs. Nathan H. Rabhan Mr. & Mrs. Norman Radow Dr. & Mrs. Frederick Rahal Ms. Frances B. Raphael Mr. & Mrs. Harris I. Raskind Mr. & Mrs. Paul Ratki Mr. & Mrs. Joseph B. Reisman Mr. & Mrs. John W. Remmers, Jr. Mr. Robert S. Rentz Mr. Glenn Richter Mr. & Mrs. William M. Riley Mr. & Mrs. James C. Roberts Ms. Harriet Rochkind Rockingham County Middle School Ms. Evelyn G. Rogers Ms. Nancy L. Romans Ms. Inez G. Roop Mr. Richard S. Rose Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Rosenbaum Dr. Charles I. Rosenbaum Ms. Joyce M. Rosenbaum Mr. & Mrs. Louis A. Rosenbaum Mr.& Mrs. Norman S. Rosenbaum Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rosenbaum Mr. Harry Rosenberg Dr. & Mrs. William I. Rosenblum Ms. Beverly R. Rothert Ms. Barbara Rozett Mr. & Mrs. Henry E. Rubin Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Rubinstein Mr. & Mrs. Thomas F. Rupnik
Ms. Sylvia Russinsky Ms. Regina R. Sager Saint Margarets Episcopal School Mr. Velino A. Salazar Mr. & Mrs. Lantane Sale, Jr. Ms. Muriel A. Schapiro Mr. & Mrs. Mortimer Schatzberg Mr. & Mrs. Peter F. Schatzki Mr. David Scherer Mr. & Mrs. Jack Schiller Mr. Carl Schluter Mr. & Mrs. Charles Schmidt Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Schoenes Ms. Ida A. Schreiber Mr. & Mrs. Sam H. Schulman Mr. & Mrs. John Jay Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Stephen C. Schwartz Dr. & Mrs. Maurice Schwarz Ms. Simone G. Schwarz Ms. Carol S. Sclar Ms. June Seal Mr. & Mrs. Burwell W. Seay Drs. Irvin & Linda J. Seeman Dr. & Mrs. Myron W. Seeman Mr. Frank H. Seldes Mr. & Mrs. Bruce M. Selznick Mr. & Mrs. Michael Sesnowitz Mr. Ralph Shapiro Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Shapiro Ms. Hattie T. Shocket Dr. Simon P. Sibelman Mr. & Mrs. Alan Sidenberg Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Siegel Mr. & Mrs. Robert Siegel Mr. & Mrs. Isaac I. Silver Ms. Ann W. Silverstein Dr. & Mrs. Dean Simpson Mr. George Bryan Slater Mr. & Mrs. Jonah M. Slipow Ms. Candace Smith Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Smith Mr. & Mrs. Mark S. Smith Ms. Madeline H. Snead Soar Academy - Hanover County Schools Mr. & Mrs. Michael Solodar Dr. & Mrs. Neil A. Sonenklar Mr. Damon A. Spain Dr. & Mrs. Elliott J. Spanier
Mr. I. Roland Specter Col. (Ret) & Mrs. Francis P. Spera Mr. & Mrs. Sidney M. Sperberg Mr. Paul Spitalnik St. Bridget’s School St. Matthews Episcopal Church St. Thomas Episcopal Church St. Thomas Youth Group Stafford Middle School Mr. & Mrs. Frank Stahl Stanley & Dorothy Pauley Charitable Trust Ms. Gloria B. Starkman Mr. & Mrs. Philip N. Steel, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Stanley Steinberg Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth A. Steingold Mr. & Mrs. W. H. G. Stevenson, III Ms. Sandra L. Stewart Mr. & Mrs. Charles Stillman Dr. Robert N. Stone Allan Stoneman Ms. Evalyn W. Strause Mr. Joseph P. Sullivan Bishop Walter F. Sullivan Mr. Richard L. Summers Mr. Gerald A. Swatt Tappahannock Furniture Store Mr. Robert Tappman Ms. Gladys Tatarsky Mr. & Mrs. Patrick M. P. Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Taylor Ms. Jodi Teitelman Ms. Gertrude R. Teller Mr. & Mrs. Morton G. Thalhimer, III Thomas Dale High School Mr. Richard Todd The Honorable Anthony F. Troy Mr. Carson L. Tucker Mr. & Mrs. Yakov Tulchinsky Ms. Ruby G. Turner Mr. Bruce W. Tyler University Of Richmond Mr. & Mrs. Rubin Unowitz VA Union Univ Valentine Richmond History Center Ms. Gail A. Vanovitch Varina Historical Society Ms. Dena S. Vernick Virginia Beach Middle School
Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts Ms. Betty J. Vitsky Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. von Gutfeld Wachovia Direct Access - Staff Ms. Lucille Wallace Mr. & Mrs. M. James Wallace Ms. Bette R. Wallerstein Ms. Sharon A. Ward Rev . Lynne E. Washington Dr. & Mrs. Brian M. Wasserman Ms. Martele S. Wasserman Mr. & Mrs. Barney L. Webber Mr. Martin Wegbriet Mr. Jerrold G. Weinberg Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Weinberg Mr. S. Todd Weinberg Weiner, Rohrstaff & Spivey PLC Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Weitzenhofer Wellpoint Foundation Mr. Samuel Werth Ms. Kate S. Westbrook Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan B. Wight Ms. Carol W. Williams Esther J. Windmueller, Esq. Ms. Evelyn S. Windmueller Dr. Steven F. Windmueller Mr. & Mrs. Marshall B. Wishnack Ms. Isabella G. Witt Ms. Dorothy M. Wizer Mr. & Mrs. Franklin Wolf Dr. & Mrs. Michael A. Wolf Ms. Ruth Wolff Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence I. Wolitz Mr. Bruce Woodruff Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Worthington III Dr. L. Marian Wouters Mr. Elliott Wrenn Mr. & Mrs. Roy J. Yamamoto Mr. Milton Zahn Dr. Michael Zalob Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth R. Zaslav Mr. & Mrs. Alan Zimm Ms. Helen D. Zimm Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Zwerdling
13
By the Ghetto Gate
Bystanders During the Holocaust by Matt Simpson One of the many, and, I believe, most important mantras of the Museum, taken from His Holiness, The Dalai Lama, states that “It is not enough to be compassionate, you must act!” It is a sentiment written on our walls, and echoed in the words of our docents, reminding all those who pass-through of the dangers of passivity and the superiority of deed over word. Indeed, one of the major legacies of the Holocaust, beginning with the liberation of the camps by troops led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, has been to hold accountable those who did nothing, commonly referred to as “bystanders,” and honoring those “Righteous” men and women who saw fit to act, defending and protecting the innocent from Nazi terror. We all say, “the world must never forget,” and part of this declaration is fulfilled each time we are able to honor a person who risked their life to save others during the Holocaust. On June 5, 2008, the Virginia Holocaust Museum was privileged to recognize one such woman, now a member of the Richmond community, who risked her life to save Jews from the grasp of the Nazis. On this day, members of the Museum staff, including Executive Director Jay M. Ipson, along with Minister Counselor Raffi Harpaz from the Israeli Embassy, gathered at Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond, to recognize resident Halina Fras. During World War II, Ms. Fras, who also served in the Polish Army, rescued three Jews by taking them in as part of her family, and falsifying their papers so they would pass as gentiles. Without hesitation, Halina Fras willingly risked her life, for the basic, fundamental cause of doing the right thing. She was not compensated for her act of kindness, nor was she given any sort of recognition, until this date, some sixty-five years later. Finally, on June 5th, Ms. Fras was recognized as a true hero of the Holocaust when she was named “Righteous Among Nations” by Yad Vashem. The importance of the deed, and the award, cannot be overstated. The title of “Righteous Among Nations” is the highest award given to non-Jews by Yad Vashem, and it recognizes the ultimate act of selflessness and courage in the shadow of one of the darkest periods in history. A deed such as this transcends the ideas of compassion, empathy or sympathy. It is a total fulfillment of the challenge laid out by the Dalai Lama, to be more than “compassionate.” To do what is right is such a simple notion, and yet it can be one of the most challenging things for a person to do, because often times it can mean going against the status-quo, and taking a risk by stepping outside of what is comfortable or publicly acceptable. Doing so, however, is the most commendable, and important of community services. Too often, it seems, society is highlighted by people and deeds of ill repute; we focus on, or are unwillingly bombarded by, the negative words and actions of the people who surround us. These acts go unpunished, or, at times, are even heralded, while acts of kindness and courage go unnoticed. Negativity and pettiness surround us daily, and very rarely does basic human kindness shine through, and the rare moments when it does must be celebrated. In our daily lives, it is possible for each of us to become like Halina Fras, and to be Righteous, giving of one’s self without getting anything in return. The Museum’s volunteers do it each day, and so do countless other people, most of whom will never be recognized for their work. Each of us should take the time to recognize those in our lives who work to make our communities and lives better. Without them, we are left in the darkness of a world where evil triumphs; a world which is all too real for those who remember the events we memorialize in our halls. We know the price of indifference and the consequences of apathy, and it is with this knowledge that we should embrace the Halina Frases in our own lives.
continued from page 2 and OSI for researchers. Chuck Weitzenhofer, a volunteer of many years, is transferring our oral histories to DVD, and we are placing them in a safety deposit box for safe keeping. Laura Murphy, our guest relations expert, has school tours booked up to June ‘09. Rena Berlin and Ann Regan, another Volunteer and music director extraordinaire, are working on music of the Holocaust and how it can play a part in education. This is just a portion of what we have done this year. You all have made this possible. I also need to add Elly, my wife of almost 50 yrs., another volunteer, without whose expertise; our mail records would not be up to date, thereby not informing those who have moved, of our activities and costing double mail. We have an extraordinary gift shop that Cissy Gershman is managing. I could keep on going, but I think that you can see we have come a long way, and with the help of our many volunteers, we are able still able to offer our services free to the public. I want to recognize the volunteers that have made all of this possible: Chick Becker, Susie Byer, Rick Cohen, Debra Craghead Gary Effron, Yawana Fields, Susan Foster, Charles Furrow, Bill Goldeen, Robert Gomperts, Inge Horowitz Jim Kay, Alex Keisch, Jane Keyser, Alex Lebenstein Susie Levin, Pat Mirr, Heather Palma, Harris Raskind John Remmers, Mel Vergales, Sue Wasserman, Peg Holliday, Harvey Gutrin, Chuck Weitzenhofer, Sarah Bart, Murray Carton, Rick Cohen, Nick Domazos, June Furrow, Elaine Grandis, Wayne Hill, Joyce Parkey, Xiaomi Qu, Harris Raskind, Anne Regan, Kendal Sadler, Jerry Soble, Jillian Ketron, Bobby Bigwood, Marcia Messler, Lindsay Catlett, Martha Allison, Andrea Devin, Kyle Lawrence and Amanda Lynch.
To Alan and Halina Zimm (Holocaust Survivors) on their 60th Wedding Anniversary.
The Virginia Holocaust Museum would also like to acknowledge Alexander Lebenstein who was recently given the Richmond History Makers 2008 Improving Social Justice Award by the Valentine Richmond History Center. Mr. Lebenstein is a volunteer educator for the VHM and is an advocate for Schools Without Racism, a movement he has started in his hometown of Haltern Gemany. Jay Weinberg (VHM Trustee) was named one of Virginia Lawyers Weekly “Leaders in Law” for his work to establish the Nuremberg Trials Courtroom exhibit at the VHM.
Congratulations JOSEPH M. BRODECKI, the child of Richmond area Holocaust Survivors, Bud and Sonia Brodecki, was appointed to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council by President George W. Bush.
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