Memphis Commemorates Yom HaShoah with Heartfelt Stories

News Summary

Memphis honored the 63rd Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration, reflecting on the lives lost during the Holocaust. The event highlighted resilience with speaker Anna Salton Eisen, and remembered Max Notowitz, a survivor who recently passed away. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about the Holocaust, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational education. A short film titled ‘Names Not Numbers’ presented stories of local survivors, signifying the critical role of youth in preserving memories of this tragic history.

Memphis Commemorates Yom HaShoah with Heartfelt Stories and Reflections

On a moving Wednesday evening, the city of Memphis came together for the 63rd Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration, a deeply significant event that honors the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust. This special day, also known as the Jewish memorial day for the Holocaust, holds an important role in ensuring that the memories of those who perished are not forgotten.

A Theme of Resilience and Responsibility

This year’s theme, “Echoes of Liberation: Intergenerational Implications,” served as a poignant reminder of the responsibility each generation holds to remember and educate others about the harrowing past. As antisemitism continues to unfortunately rise, the focus on intergenerational duty and resilience serves to keep the memories alive and relevant, connecting the past to the present.

Anna Salton Eisen Takes the Stage

Keynote speaker Anna Salton Eisen, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, took the audience on a journey of courage and discovery. Having authored two powerful Holocaust memoirs, her personal story of uncovering her parents’ hidden past has formed the foundation of her life’s work and mission. Eisen is also known for founding Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, a site that notably endured a hostage crisis in 2022. Her experiences echo the themes of resilience and remembrance that were central to the evening’s program.

Remembering the Heroes

As the evening unfolded, attendees were reminded of a significant loss. Max Notowitz, one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors in Memphis, sadly passed away on Yom HaShoah at the age of 89. His life story serves as a heartbreaking yet inspiring testament to survival, having endured the tragedy of losing nearly every member of his family during the Holocaust. Forced into labor in Poland, Notowitz was miraculously able to escape the clutches of a death camp.

Following the war, he built a new life in Memphis, completing his education at Christian Brothers High School and later graduating from Vanderbilt University. Notowitz carved a successful career in the insurance industry and earned numerous accolades, including a lifetime achievement award from The Estate Planning Council of Memphis. His embodiment of resilience, along with his desire to share his story with students, journalists, and community groups, ensured that the lessons of the Holocaust would endure through education.

More Than a Day of Remembrance

The Yom HaShoah commemoration also featured a powerful film titled “Names Not Numbers,” created by high school students. This poignant film highlighted stories from Memphis survivors, weaving together strands of personal narrative with collective memory. The inclusion of youth in such a significant event emphasizes the critical role that the next generation plays in continuing the legacy of Holocaust remembrance.

The Significance of Yom HaShoah

Yom HaShoah, which falls a week after Passover and just a week before Israel’s Memorial Day, invites individuals from all walks of life to pause, reflect, and engage in meaningful discussions about the Holocaust and its far-reaching implications. The full Hebrew name, Yom Ha’Shoah Ve-Hagevurah, meaning the Day of (Remembrance of) the Holocaust and the Heroism, reinforces the message that within the tragedy lies a tale of unparalleled bravery, resilience, and hope.

Closing Thoughts

As the night came to a close in Memphis, the sense of unity among those present was palpable. The stories shared and the memories honored serve as a reminder that it is every individual’s responsibility to advocate against hate and to preserve the memories of those who suffered. Through resilience, remembrance, and education, the lessons of the past will continue to guide future generations in building a more compassionate world.

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Additional Resources

• Local Memphis: Memphis Jewish Federation – Yom HaShoah Commemoration
• Forward: A Jewish Chef Brings Kosher Deli to Memphis
• Commercial Appeal: Holocaust Survivor Dies on Yom HaShoah
• Commercial Appeal: Finding Meaning in History’s Tragic Moments
• Wikipedia: Holocaust