Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery
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DIRECTIONS TO EMEK SHOLOM HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CEMETERY

Richmond's North-side, within Forest Lawn Cemetery
4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, VA 23222

195-N or 64-E to Laburnum exit
Laburnum 2.5 miles to Alma Ave.
Left on Alma Ave. 1 block; enter gates of Forest Lawn
1st left onto "South Way" - 1 block; Right on "Crescent Lane"
Continue 3 blocks to the end.


Mission Statement

Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery is the final resting place for persons of the Jewish faith who have physical and/or emotional ties to the Holocaust, and their families. Its primary goal is to memorialize victims of the Holocaust, whose descendants live(d) in the greater Richmond area, through maintaining the historic Holocaust Memorial landmark, and promoting Holocaust education.

Adopted at Annual Meeting March 9, 2003; amended Board Meeting January 11, 2012.

History

On November 6, 1955, the New American Jewish Club of Richmond, a group of immigrants and survivors of the Nazi purge of European Jewry, unveiled a monument. These new residents of the United States pooled their meager resources and constructed this memorial to 200 family members who had perished in the Holocaust and whose final resting places will forever be unknown.

November 6, 1955 - Dedication of the Emek Sholom Memorial.

The original Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial consisted of two panels of names and a central stone. It is one of the first Holocaust memorials in North America. In 1998, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources recognized its uniqueness and listed it as a Historic Landmark in Virginia. The following year, the U.S. Department of the Interior placed it on the National Register of Historic Places.

On November 7, 1999, two flanking panels, bearing 237 additional names, were dedicated by new members of the Richmond Jewish community to memorialize their family members who perished in the Holocaust. By 2010, addition names filled the remaining spaces bringing the total number of names on the memorial to 459.

The Jewish cemetery, where the Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial is located (Section A), is a burial ground for 175 Holocaust survivors, their descendants and others who have physical or emotional ties to the Holocaust or a desire to make this their final resting place. The cemetery is located within Forest Lawn Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

In response to a demand for more graves, funds were raised to match a generous gift from the Nathaniel Krumbein family for the purchase of land directly across the road, adding 96 graves (Section B) to the Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery. This new area was consecrated on April 8, 2007, and it appears on the map below.

32 Sold — 0 Reserved — 5 Interred — 64 Available — 96 Total
1 - 1 1 - 12
1 - 2 1 - 11
1 - 3 1 - 10
1 - 4 1 - 9
1 - 5 1 - 8
1 - 6 1 - 7
2 - 1 2 - 12
2 - 2 2 - 11
2 - 3 2 - 10
2 - 4 2 - 9
2 - 5 2 - 8
2 - 6 2 - 7
3 - 1 3 - 12
3 - 2 3 - 11
3 - 3 3 - 10
3 - 4 3 - 9
3 - 5 3 - 8
3 - 6 3 - 7
4 - 1 4 - 12
4 - 2 4 - 11
4 - 3 4 - 10
4 - 4 4 - 9
4 - 5 4 - 8
4 - 6 4 - 7
8 - 1 8 - 12
8 - 2 8 - 11
8 - 3 8 - 10
8 - 4 8 - 9
8 - 5 8 - 8
8 - 6 8 - 7
7 - 1 7 - 12
7 - 2 7 - 11
7 - 3 7 - 10
7 - 4 7 - 9
7 - 5 7 - 8
7 - 6 7 - 7
6 - 1 6 - 12
6 - 2 6 - 11
6 - 3 6 - 10
6 - 4 6 - 9
6 - 5 6 - 8
6 - 6 6 - 7
5 - 1 5 - 12
5 - 2 5 - 11
5 - 3 5 - 10
5 - 4 5 - 9
5 - 5 5 - 8
5 - 6 5 - 7

Cemetery Map - Section B


32 Sold — 0 Reserved — 5 Interred — 64 Available — 96 Total
1 - 1 1 - 12
1 - 2 1 - 11
1 - 3 1 - 10
1 - 4 1 - 9
1 - 5 1 - 8
1 - 6 1 - 7
2 - 1 2 - 12
2 - 2 2 - 11
2 - 3 2 - 10
2 - 4 2 - 9
2 - 5 2 - 8
2 - 6 2 - 7
3 - 1 3 - 12
3 - 2 3 - 11
3 - 3 3 - 10
3 - 4 3 - 9
3 - 5 3 - 8
3 - 6 3 - 7
4 - 1 4 - 12
4 - 2 4 - 11
4 - 3 4 - 10
4 - 4 4 - 9
4 - 5 4 - 8
4 - 6 4 - 7
8 - 1 8 - 12
8 - 2 8 - 11
8 - 3 8 - 10
8 - 4 8 - 9
8 - 5 8 - 8
8 - 6 8 - 7
7 - 1 7 - 12
7 - 2 7 - 11
7 - 3 7 - 10
7 - 4 7 - 9
7 - 5 7 - 8
7 - 6 7 - 7
6 - 1 6 - 12
6 - 2 6 - 11
6 - 3 6 - 10
6 - 4 6 - 9
6 - 5 6 - 8
6 - 6 6 - 7
5 - 1 5 - 12
5 - 2 5 - 11
5 - 3 5 - 10
5 - 4 5 - 9
5 - 5 5 - 8
5 - 6 5 - 7

Contacts

Keith Marcus, Vice-President, Tel: 804-355-0691, email Keith Marcus
Inge W. Horowitz, Acting President, Tel: 804-358-2720, email Inge W. Horowitz


Board Memebers

2012 - 2013

Officers:
Acting President: Inge W. Horowitz
Vice President: Keith Marcus
Secretary: Ron Binshtok
Treasurer: Gaby Heller

Directors:
Bert Berlin
Rose Herold
Benjamin Kutner
Roger Loria
Lenora "Cookie" Solodar
Esther Windmueller
Evelyn Windmueller


By-Laws

By-Laws Jan 11 2012.doc


Holocaust Memorial - The Names of 459 Victims



Sarah K. Maizels Boruch Manelis
Donna Hitron Mintsya Stolyar
Sheftel Stolyar Chaim S. Khatskevich Israel Moszkowicz Sigfried Reinhardt Haym Fridman Yosel Pasternak
Hana Pasternak Sonya Perelman
Schmaya Perelman Idl Schwartsman
Khaya Schwartsman
Yakov Schwartsman
Berta Schwartsman The Bieler Family Dora H. Bock Isak Konovalov
& 11 Family members Grete B. Mathias
Heine Mathias Max Windmueller "Cor" Herman Lismann Nannette L. Gross
Bernhard Gross Ludwig Bonyhadi
Gertrude l. Bonyhadi
Edgar Bonyhadi
Mellie Bonyhadi
Ottilia G. Loewit Sophie K. Putzel
Johanna K. Heinzer Adolf Rothfeld
Clara W. Rothfeld Moisze L. Golub
Sarah G. Golub
Bella Golub
Simon Golub Yaker Serebrennik
Pessia Serebrennik
Fanya Serebrennik
Enka Podolski
& 3 children Haya Vaynblat
Anna Sher Rosi R. Kleeblatt
Arthur Kleeblatt
Joseph J. Thalheimer
Cilly W. Rindskopf
Wilhelm Rindskopf
Kurt Rindskopf
Walter Thalheimer
Rachel Singer
Felicita Singer
Adi Singer
Erna M. Singer
Bernhardt Singer
Israel Regenbogen
Dinka S. Regenbogen
Betty Regenbogen
Joseph Regenbogen
Heinrich Regenbogen
Heinrich Regenbogen
Marliese Regenbogen
Fellie S. Bergoffen
Jacob Bergoffen Irma S. Huppert
Ferdinand Huppert
Leopold Huppert
Sophie N. Schlesinger
Hermine S. Klein
Gisa S. Pressburger
Frieda S. Klein Leah J. Capeiko
Lewis Capeiko Chaja S. Singer
Joseph Singer
Brucha Shapiro
Israel Shapiro
Dinah Shapiro
Tauba R. Shapiro
Joseph Shapiro
Abraham Shapiro
Mika Shapiro
Hersh Shapiro
Shaja Shapiro Ernst Levy Nahama Shneyder
Riva Shneyder
Guta Shneyder
Ester Shneyder
Miriam Shneyder
Hannah Golub
Rivka Katz
Meyer Katz
Eta Feldman Refual Grunstein
Helen M. Grunstein
Chana S. Grunstein
Usher Z. Grunstein
Edes Grunstein Malka S. Bensky
Elka Bensky
Nathan Bensky
Sarah Bensky
Moses Bensky
Rubin Bensky
Herschel Bensky
Isaac Kuszel
Nechama B. Kuszel
Chaya Gontownik
Hershel Kuszel
Faga Kuszel
Elka Kuszel
Ruben Kuszel
Rifka Feinberg
Yehudit Feinberg Bette Heuberger
Abraham Heuberger Willi Jarecki
Eva Jarecki Erna Luebke Gotlibs
Nicolas Gotlibs
Recha Luebke Leopold Maier
Rosa Maier
Hilde Maier Szloma L. Maizels
Brucha Maizels
Szaja Maizels
Ita R. Maizels
Moszek G. Ajdelsztajn
Zlata H. Ajdelsztajn
Alter Ajdelsztajn Samuel Wolf
Selma Wolf
Helene Levi
Joseph Levi
Emanuel Ehrlich Benno Seligmann
Johanna Seligmann Mera Sarapej
Michel Sarapej Natan Moszkowicz
Chaje Moszkowicz
Majer Moszkowicz
Mendel Moszkowicz Rufolf Gmeiner
Kamilla Gmeiner Elsa Neumann Alice Oppenheimer
Ernst Oppenheimer Arnold Rosenthal
Nathan Rosenthal
Minna Rosenthal Tony Schulhof Max Spanier
Heinz Spanier Nathan Lebenstein
Lotte Lebenstein Leopold Stern
Ida Stern Moritz Liebermann
Vally Liebermann Louis Thalheimer Aron M. Tabacznik
Ryvka B. Tabacznik
Icchok M. Tabacznik
Ajdel C. Tabacznik
Mojsze B. Tabacznik
Jite Tabacznik
Menachem Tabacznik
Eljah Tabacznik
Chaje Tabacznik
Jente Tabacznik Sally Rosenberg
Henny Rosenberg Josef Verstandig
Marcus Verstandig
Max Verstandig
Sigmund Verstandig Rosa Weihs
Robert Weihs
Berta Wand
Salo Wand Leo Weiss
Wilhelm Reisberg Thea Stein Blumenthal Albert Heimann
Frieda Heimann
Paul Schuler
Clothilde L. Schuler
Heinz E. Schuler Karl Treidel
Selma W. Treidel
Walter Treidel
Jeanette Windmuller
Abraham Windmuller
Gertrud H. Windmuller
Ruth M. Windmuller
Max "Cor" Windmuller Josef Wolff
Clara Wolff
Albert Heymann
Helene Heymann Menachem Ziemniak
Szajna Ziemniak
Hiller Ziemniak
Rywka Ziemniak
Zielonka L. Ziemniak
Abraham J. Ziemniak
Josef L. Ziemniak
Rafael Ziemniak
Fela Ziemniak
Ester Ziemniak
Fajga Ziemniak
Jacob Ziemniak
Salomon Dreksler
Regina Dreksler
Max Benedek David Blumenthal
Lina Blumenthal Rosalia Brandeis
Gisella Brandeis
Theodor Grun
Naftali Brandeis
Emanual Kahn
Fanny Kahn Majlech S. Brodecki
Roma Brodecki
Helena Brodecki
Josef Piekarski
Miriam Piekarska
Lolek Piekarski Herman Brummer
Rosa Brummer Julius Frankenstein
Rosalie Frankenstein Moritz Scheiber
Sarolta Scheiber
Regine Drexler
Oskar Drexler
Norbert Drexler Max Nothmann
Adele Nothmann
Vera Nothmann
Cilly Hirschland Max Gallewski
Regina Gallewski
Wilhelm Durra
Clara Durra Henriette Ginsberg
Sally Hammerstein
Hedwig Hammerstein Itzek Grabinski
Michla Grabinski
Ruchel Grabinski
Rafael Grabinski
Boaz Grabinski
Fawel Grabinski
Michael Grabinski
Chanine Szulman
Chaja Szulman
Benjamin Teper
Ruchel Teper Sally Grunebaum
Regina Grunebaum
Mathilde Grunebaum
Leopold Grunebaum Dorothea Hirsch
Walter Grunewald
Max Grunewald
Gustav Neuwahl
Fritz Neuwahl
Tony Frolich Irma Gunzburg Jenny Hamburger
Lotte Hamburger Markus Ruff
Julius Hornung
Rosa Hornung
Lotka Hornung
Isak Waller
Abraham Waller Preidel Ip
Tone Ip
Dora Ip
Golde Ip
Mascha Ip
Jacob Ip
Chananie Butrimovitz
Ester Butrimovitz
Mine Butrimovitz
Chaim Butrimovitz
Feivel Butrimovitz Hedwig Levistein Leja R. Hirsch
Chaim O. Hirsch Leopold Katz
Sarah Katz
Dina Katz
Malchen Katz
Adolf Katz Frieda Brunner
Wolf Silberstein
Minna Abrahamsohn Pauline Kohn
David Ambach
Fanny Ambach
Betty Fruhauf Simon Koch
Emma Koch
Else Kern
Gertrud Kern Fritz Stein
Lina Kahn Isaak M. Kutner
Henna Kutner
Fajga Talkowska Julia Kaufmann
Meyer Hirsch
Regina K. Hirsch
Hedwig H. Sann
Moritz I. Buchdahl
Martha H. Buchdahl
Ingeborg Buchdahl
Moses Baer Ita Brandman
Nussen Brandman
Xena Berenshteyn Sora-Rifka Rabinowitz
Berel Rabinowitz
& their descendants
Chana Kapusta
Yossel Kapusta Family members of
Marton and Bella Weiss Jacob Dreyfuss
Ida B. Dreyfuss Hanna Simon
Frieda Simon
Maly S. Hirschbaum
Michael Silbermann
Klara F. Silbermann
Hanna Silbermann Leibus Gorlicky
Dywoira Cytryn-Gorlicky
Bluma Cytryn
Israel Cytryn Baruch Lerner-Lamdany
Pola Lerner-Lamdany
Wolf Reiser
Chana-Tzipe Reiser
Peschy Reiser
Itzhak Ponieman Albert Bruckner
Marie F. Bruckner
Feige R. Bernhaut
Wilhelm P. Bernhaut Azril Krasnopolsky Jolan P. Fried
Laszlo Fried
Joszef Fried
Herman Kupferstein
Ella P. Weisz
Andor Weisz
Tibor Weisz
Jeno Perlstein
Rozsa P. Farkas
Zoltan Farkas
Menyhert Farkas
David Farkas
Lajos Farkas
Viktor Farkas
Geza Perlstein
Polla Perlstein
Istvan Perstein
Klara P. Bistric Josef Tannenbaum Efraim Boxenhorn
Sima Boxenhorn
Regina Cziring
Hedi Cziring
Emma Schwartz
Tibor Schwartz
Janos Schwartz
Anna Schwartz
Josef Schwartz
Otto Schwartz
Helena Schwartz
Lilly Moskovicz
Marika Moskovicz Joseph Fayman
Sarah W. Fayman Boris M. Bumagin
Vera I. Bumagina Adolf Hanau Sally Bukofzer
Pauline G. Bukofzer
Max Hirsch
Paula J. Hirsch Chava Falk
Marcus Falk
Sara Horowitz
Zalman Horowitz Walter Blumenthal
Elsa S. Camnitzer Leopold Hamburger
Margarette Hamburger Rivka H. Itzkowitz
Fishel Itzkowitz
Mendel Wiatrak
Ester A. Wiatrak Leibish Lebensbaum
Devorah Lebensbaum
Baruch Lebensbaum
Tzesia Lebensbaum
Chaim Wichtel
Mania Wichtel Hillel Levitansky
Doba Levitansky
Lisa Levitansky Benjamin Talkowski
Rivka Talkowski
Josef Talkowski
Nissan Talkowski Jacob Moskowitz
Morris Moskowitz Samuel Loria
Hinda H. Loria
Wolf Loria
Yechiel Loria
Ariyeh Loria
Rachel Loria
Gusti L. Schreiber
Joseph Maisel
Paul Gottlieb
Anna M. Gottlieb
Regina Gottlieb Hanna "Oma" Kats Albert Rose
Sophie Rose
Irma Rose Rivka Siegel
Naftali Siegel Alexander Keisch
Walter Germann Meshel Appelroit
Berel Appelroit
Sarah Appelroit
Shmuel Appelroit
Shandel Appelroit
Glika Appelroit Sally S. Weisberger
Bernard E. Weisberger
Mary Farkas Jakubovic
Ziegmund Jakubovic Chaim Juda Lachs

Brochure

Emek Sholom Brochure







Future Development Plans


Enhancements planned for the new section include sidewalks and landscaping.






- Virginia Holocaust Museum














PRESS RELEASE
Never Again Award

The Board of Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery is pleased to offer the "Never Again" Award once more in 2012. The "Never Again" Award in the amount of $300 is awarded to a Virginia High School student who composes the best essay (500 words or less and in the student's own words) on this year's topic, "Never Again - What We Can Do Today To Stop Genocide in the Democratic Republic of the Congo." The award winner must be prepared to read the essay at an annual program commemorating Kristallnacht - The Night of Pogroms. The entry should include an explanation of what attendees can do to help alleviate the situation. These suggestions should be submitted in writing on a separate page which will be duplicated and distributed to program attendees in a handout.

Submissions will be evaluated on presentation, understanding of the dynamics of genocide or state-sponsored oppression in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following instructions, and the practical impact of the suggestion page.

The 2012, 74th anniversary of Kristallnacht event will take place on November 11, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery within Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, VA 23222. All submissions and the application cover sheet must be received by October 26, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the following email address: estherwindmueller@gmail.com. For more information, Esther can be reached at 804-426-2321. Good luck to all participants!


Never Again Award Winner - November 6, 2011
Gracie DeSantis of Clover Hill High School

What's Worth Remembering?
Genocide Remembrance and Prevention
Case Study: Uganda

Download Essay and Handout


Never Again Award Winner - November 7, 2010
Abby Badura of Clover Hill High School

A Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Download Essay and Handout


Never Again Award Winner - November 8, 2009
Leah Tams of Clover Hill High School

Kenyan Ethnic Cleansing: Another Rwanda?
An Essay on the Crisis in the Horn of Africa

Download Essay - Download Handout


Never Again Award Winner - November 9, 2008
Rebecca Disney of Thomas Dale High School

Kenyan Ethnic Cleansing: Another Rwanda?
An Essay on the Crisis in the Horn of Africa

Download Essay


Never Again Award Winner - November 11, 2007
Scott Edelstein of Douglass Freeman High School

Never Again: Genocide in Uganda

Download Essay

Never Again Award Winner - November 11, 2005
Mark Edelstein of Douglass Freeman High School

Never Again - What We Can Do Today to Stop Genocide

Download Essay

73nd Anniversary of Kristallnacht - the Night of Progroms - Nov 6, 2011


Photos by Rachel Loria


The Memorial at Emek Sholom


Front Row-Participants, and Audience


Gracie DeSantis (Never Again Award Winner), Mark Binschtok, Jon Davidow, Ali Holmes, and Jeremy McMahon (3rd Generation Candle Lighters)


Speakers Inge Horowitz (Program Chair), Rabbi Royi Shaffin, (3rd Generation), Rabbi Canter Annie Bornstein, and Miriam Davidow (2nd Generation)


Rina Manelis (2nd Generation Speaker)


Ben Kutner (Program Committee Member)

Video by Misha Teitz




Press Release

Annual Kristallnacht Memorial Service - Second Generation Perspective

By Timur & Ira Korshin

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, November 6, 2011, Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery welcomed a dedicated group of Holocaust survivors, their families and friends, returning for the annual pilgrimage to commemorate the opening chapter of the Holocaust, the night of November 9-10, 1938, known as the Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass).

Inge Horowitz, the past President of Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery, thanked and welcomed all gathered. She stated that with the dwindling number of Holocaust Survivors, it is their children and grandchildren, the 2nd and 3rd Generation, who carry the honor and command to Remember! She introduced Rabbi Royi Shaffin, who gave opening remarks, and spoke from the heart about his perspective on what it means to remember as a 3rd Generation Survivor. He energized the group, encouraging Jews to stick together, be proud of our heritage, and protect the only sure safe harbor of Jews, Israel.

Next, Rabbi Cantor Annie Bornstein, the first of the 2nd Generation speakers, passionately described the complexity of deep internal conflict she struggled with throughout her life as she sought to understand her parents, survivors of Auschwitz. She spoke to the fact that even after the horrors endured by her parents, they were able to infuse and enrich her spirit with passion and love for Judaism that has been at the core of her being throughout her life.

Rina Manelis, honoring the memory of her father, shared the story of his miraculous escape from the ghetto as a child, with his aunt who afterwards adopted and raised him as her own son. Having been very close with her father, Rina recalled that he never talked with her or her sister about the Holocaust, but communicated through his actions. In Rina's own words, the legacy her father left was "the strong sense of pride he had implicitly taught us to take in our identity as Jews."

The third speaker, Miriam Davidow shared her experience as a child born in the shadow of the Holocaust, and the eternal gratitude she feels toward her parents for allowing her to be born into freedom. She left a message that we must do all in our power to make a difference in the lives of others by "serving, giving, and doing whatever is most meaningful to us."

Inge Horowitz gave a tribute to Samuel "Sonny" Werth (OBM), who, following his father's dying wish, went on to create maps of all Jewish graves in cemeteries within the state of Virginia, recently finishing the map of Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery. He would have presented his work during the commemoration event, were it not for his recent passing.

Esther Windmueller introduced this year's student winner of the "Never Again" scholarship award, which has changed this year from an essay submission, to demonstrated actions and plans for more activism and education. Gracie DeSantis from Clover Hill High School was recognized for her work to combat genocide. Check out her website: http://www.facebook.com/helponthehill for "What's Worth Remembering" and "Invisible Children."

Six candles were lit in front of the memorial for the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. Rabbi Cantor Annie Bornstein sang El Moleh Rachamim, and Rabbi Royi Shaffin concluded with a Kaddish after reiterating the message that many generations have been and will continue to be touched by the Holocaust, and that remembering the history of our survival is what will preserve us and make us stronger.


72nd Anniversary of Kristallnacht - the Night of Progroms - Nov 7, 2010


Photos by Vlada Teitz


Cantor Annie Bornstein and Rabbi Elaine Schnee light memorial candle


Roger Loria, Speaker: Antwerp, Belgium Pogrom


Moshe Yassur, Keynote Speaker: Iasi, Romania Pogrom


Keith Marcus, Family Speaker

Video by Misha Teitz


71st Anniversary of Kristallnacht - the Night of Progroms - Nov 8, 2009

Video by Misha Teitz


















70th Anniversary of Kristallnacht - the Night of Progroms - Nov 9, 2008


Photos and Video by Misha Teitz

Photos of Kristallnacht service in Synagogue of the Virginia Holocaust Museum




Cantor Annie Borenstein and the Etz Chayim Youth Choir of Congregation Beth Ahabah.






Rabbi Israel B. Koller with Temple Beth El's Holocaust Torah, walking among the
250 attendees as Jay Ipson blows the Shofar.

69th Kristallnacht - Night of Pogroms - Veterans Day, Nov 11, 2007


Photos by Vlada Teitz

Photos of Kristallnacht service at Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery 2007


Irina Manelis lights one of the six memorial candles.




Boy Scouts Aaron Anderson, Aaron Levin and Alex Katz of Temple Beth El's Troop #717 present flags. Front row L to R: Alex Lebenstein, Survivor; Ben Kutner, speaker; David Robinson, speaker; Rabbi Dennis Beck-Berman; Cantor Annie Borenstein; Mrs. John H. Harris, John H. Harris - a Liberator of Ohrdruff Concentration Camp; Halina Zimm, Survivor; John S. Oppenheimer, a Liberator of Dachau Concentration Camp; Bob Zimmer, a Liberator of Mauthausen Concentration Camp.




Center stone of the 1955 Holocaust Memorial at Emek Sholom with six memorial candles.




L to R: Inge W. Horowitz, President of Emek Sholom, Alex Lebenstein, Survivor; Ben Kutner, son of Survivors; David B. Robinson, holding picture of his father, Bruce Robinson (obm), who documented what he saw in Buchenwald Concentration Camp a few hours after its liberation.




L to R: [back] Rena Berlin, Director of Education at Virginia Holocaust Museum; Mr. and Mrs. John H. Harris, a Liberator of Ohrdruff Concentration Camp; Alan and Halina Zimm, Survivors; [behind the Zimms] Roger Loria, Survivor.


Video by Misha Teitz



Press Release

52nd ANNUAL KRISTALLNACHT MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD - November 11, 2007

Samuel Werth and Stanley Serxner of the Jewish War Veterans, Norfolk, VA (Misha Teitz Photography)

Crystal silence fell upon the group of approximately 200 attendees gathered on the afternoon of November 11th, as Boy Scout Troop 717 presented flags to honor WWII concentration camp Liberators for their courageous service, and Holocaust Survivors who endured unbelievable, inhuman suffering.

Inge Horowitz, President of Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery, opened the service there. She recognized the Survivors, their children, and grandchildren as representatives of victory over the planned annihilation of the Jewish people. The names of 439 loved ones, murdered in Holocaust, whose family members live in Richmond, reverberated in the chilly air. Alex Lebenstein, Holocaust survivor, recognized Concentration Camp Liberators - John H. Harris, Ohrdruff - John S. Oppenheimer, Dachau - and Robert S. Zimmer, Mauthausen, - and the audience honored each one with a long ovation. Their presence was an inspiration and a privilege.

Benjamin Kutner shared the incredible story of his mother's miraculous escape from an Auschwitz death march. David Robinson continued the story from the perspective of his father, Cpl. Bruce Robinson, whose unit saved Esther Kutner. Forty five years later, the liberator and liberated were reunited in switched roles - Esther sat vigil with Bruce in the hospital as he lay dying of cancer, as they shared unique memories of the past.

Six candles were lit by descendants of Survivors for the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. The reflection of the tiny burning flames, in the vast coldness of the monument, resembled the tiny number of Jews that survived the Holocaust in comparison to the millions that so tragically left us forever.

Rabbi Beck-Berman recalled the night of violence against Jews, Nov. 9 - 10, 1938, that foreshadowed the Holocaust, and warned of the importance to stand up for the rights and lives of people who face annihilation. "We must not stand by without taking action, when people in countries such as Uganda or Darfur are facing genocide…If we don't stand up when evil is done onto others, what can we expect when is evil is done onto us?"

The question was answered by young Scott Edelstein, who submitted the winning Never Again essay, "Genocide in Uganda." He invoked the words of Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner: "The opposite of life is not death; it is indifference". He also donated to the Virginia Holocaust Museum a copy of the film which inspired him, Invisible Children. He ended by imploring his audience to donate to help kids who can turn to no one, and to visit www.invisiblechildren.com.

By Timur Korshin & Ira Perelman