Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Event Celebrates the Power of Community

Like many long-standing traditions, the Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Service of South Orange and Maplewood began in someone’s kitchen.  Religious leaders Sister Rose Thering, Rabbi Jehiel Orenstein, Msgr. Philip Morris and the Reverend Charles Thompson, representing many religious traditions, gathered with Max Randall of B’nai B’rith to find a way to commemorate the victims, survivors, righteous gentiles and liberators of the Holocaust.  Now, 34 years later, the event lives on as a testament to the power of community. 

Rotating between synagogues, churches and other houses of worship in both Maplewood and South Orange, the annual free event took place this year at Congregation Beth El in South Orange on Sunday, May 1 and coincided with the Jewish holiday of Yom HaShoah, the Day of Remembrance. 

Indeed, South Orange marks the National Days of Remembrance, May 1 - 8, an annual commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. A proclamation to that effect was read on Sunday.

“Our towns are blessed with many beautiful houses of worship, and the service rotates around from Christian to Jewish, Maplewood to South Orange,” said Co-Chair Eve Murkowski.

In the aftermath of the Holocaust during the 1950s, Jewish communities in Israel and around the world worked to find a way to appropriately commemorate the devastation wrought by the Nazis and the tremendous loss of life.  Six million Jews and five million gypsies, homosexuals, people with disabilities, political opponents and Jehovah’s Witnesses lost their lives under Hitler’s rule.  Yom HaShoah became an annual way for people to remember their loved ones and commit themselves to fighting hate and never letting such genocide happen again. 

Rituals surrounding Yom HaShoah vary, but the most widely-observed custom is the lighting of memorial candles, wherein flames represent a soul.  Candles played a prominent role on Sunday evening as 11 survivors, liberators and righteous gentiles lit a candelabrum in memory of the 11 million men, women and children killed during the Holocaust.  Dr. Carol Mann introduced each candle lighter and shared the personal story.  Grandchildren of Holocaust survivors also lit candles lining the main aisle of the congregation in honor of their families.

Abe Bunis has been involved as a member of the South Orange/Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Committee since 1972 and has seen the program’s evolution since its earliest stages.  “This annual event started because people felt the loss of six million Jews was a loss the community needed to commemorate.” 

Sadly, genocide did not end with the defeat of Nazism and at past events refugees from Rwanda and Darfur have spoken about their experiences facing hate.  “Different facets of humanity are reflected and together our committee fosters better interfaith relations,” said Bunis.  

Reverend Sandye Wilson, of St. Andrew and Holy Communion Episcopal Church in South Orange, brought her congregation’s confirmation class to the event.  “The young people realize they are part of a community larger than themselves,” said Rev. Wilson who is also co-chair of the South Orange/Maplewood Clergy Association.  “We recognize the past pain and struggle of our Jewish brothers and sisters that is part of their heritage and we vow to get each other’s backs.  That is the genius of community.”

Rabbi Francine Roston of Congregation Beth El dedicated the evening to honoring those killed and terrorized, celebrating the contributions of those whose work keeps their memories alive and not allowing deniers to desecrate their stories.  She implored all present to “strive to live a better life, give comfort and strength to survivors and hope for a better world.”

The sanctuary of the synagogue was lined with interpretive artwork created by local children after meeting with Holocaust survivors at their schools and houses of worship. 

This year’s program honored Rabbi Jehiel Orenstein, a founder of the Committee, whose vision helped to form the longest running interfaith Holocaust event in New Jersey and a model for similar events across the area.  Expressing optimism and a belief that the work is never done, Orenstein said, “May we all go from strength to strength and next year will be even better.”

Featured guest speaker Harry Ettlinger was born in Germany and came to the United States only four weeks before Kristallnacht.  He returned to Europe in January 1945 with the U.S. Army, and as a fluent German speaker, he soon became part of the “Monuments Men,” tasked with returning art looted by the Nazis to their rightful owners.  “World War II not only caused the loss of tens of millions of lives, but in the process the Nazis perpetrated the greatest plunder and destruction in the history of civilization,” he said. 

 “It warms me to know that so many of us are learning what it takes to make a more peaceful world,” said Ettlinger.  “All of us are created under the Almighty and we have to respect each other and make life more peaceful by eliminating hate and prejudice.” 

 Clergy from many denominations shared his sentiment.  “In one word, this event is about community,” said Pastor Terry Richardson of the First Baptist Church in South Orange.  “It is not just a gathering to help one another confront past mistakes in humanity, but it is also an opportunity for us to come together and acknowledge those mistakes and commit to not repeat them.”

Those interested in volunteering with the South Orange/Maplewood Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Committee are invited to email rememberandtell@yahoo.com.