News Summary
Memphis held its 63rd Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration, reflecting on the Holocaust’s legacy and the impact of rising antisemitism. Keynote speaker Anna Salton Eisen emphasized the importance of remembering the past and the need for vigilance against hate. The community also mourned the tragic death of Aviv Broek, underscoring the challenges faced during these times. Jewish Community Partners facilitated the event, reinforcing their commitment to education and understanding.
Memphis celebrated its 63rd Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration on Wednesday, honoring the memory of the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust. This year’s theme was “Echoes of Liberation: Intergenerational Implications,” which underscored the importance of understanding and acknowledging the lessons of history, particularly regarding intergenerational responsibility and resilience amidst rising antisemitism.
The keynote speaker for the event, Anna Salton Eisen, is the daughter of Holocaust survivors and has dedicated her life to sharing her family’s story. As an author of two memoirs and founder of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, she discussed her journey of uncovering her parents’ experiences during the Holocaust and how their legacy has shaped her life’s mission. Her presentation aimed to inspire attendees to reflect on the implications of the Holocaust in today’s society, emphasizing the necessity for collective memory and vigilance against hate.
Jewish Community Partners, which manages the Memphis Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Memphis, played a pivotal role in organizing the commemoration. This organization, founded in 2015, promotes understanding among various communities and actively combats hate in an effort to maintain a safe environment for all Memphians. A spokesperson from Jewish Community Partners highlighted the critical need for reflection on the Holocaust’s legacy in the context of rising antisemitism, reinforcing an ongoing commitment to education and dialogue about intolerance and prejudice.
In light of the ongoing pandemic, many in the Memphis Jewish community have adapted their Passover celebrations this year, opting for online gatherings through platforms like Zoom rather than traditional large in-person events. This shift reflects the resilience and adaptability of the community, which despite confinement, remains committed to their cultural practices and observances.
In a somber note, the community is also grappling with the recent tragic death of Aviv Broek, a 21-year-old Israeli locksmith working within the Memphis Jewish community. Broek was fatally shot and robbed after responding to a service call. He was found outside his car, where he had suffered fatal injuries, and investigators are currently looking into the case. At this time, law enforcement officials do not classify the incident as a hate crime, and no arrests have been reported.
Broek’s family is actively working to repatriate his body to Israel for burial, and a GoFundMe campaign established to assist with funeral expenses has garnered over $50,000 in donations, demonstrating the community’s solidarity in its time of grief. The Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry has been notified about Broek’s murder and is currently examining the circumstances surrounding the case.
As Memphis reflects on the events of Yom HaShoah and the tragic incident concerning Broek, the dual narratives highlight both the need for remembrance and the need for vigilance against violence and discrimination. The commemoration served as a reminder to the community about the importance of hope and resilience in the face of historical and present challenges, reinforcing the commitment to prevent hate and ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten.
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HERE Resources
Memphis Commemorates Yom HaShoah with Heartfelt Stories
Additional Resources
- The Daily Memphian: Your Jewish Neighbors Need You More than Ever
- Local Memphis: Memphis Jewish Federation 63rd Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration
- Israel Hayom: Israeli Man Killed in Tennessee, Authorities Probe Terror Angle
- Google Search: Holocaust
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Holocaust
