Hundreds Gather at National Holocaust Memorial to Commemorate 6 Million Lost Lives
In a poignant gathering at Zion Memorial Park, hundreds of people came together to remember the 6 million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust. This year’s event held special significance as the Bedford Heights memorial site was declared a national landmark by Congress and President Joe Biden in the previous year.
The service, organized by the Kol Israel Foundation and the Jewish Foundation of Cleveland, featured a moving ceremony where local survivors lit six candles. Attendees listened attentively to the survivors’ stories, both during their time in the Holocaust and their lives afterwards in Northeast Ohio. An additional candle was lit to honor the children who tragically perished, while a World War II veteran lit the eighth candle to pay tribute to the liberators.
Prayers, psalms, and a heartfelt moment to recognize Bedford Heights Mayor Fletcher Berger, who played a crucial role in establishing the site as the first National Holocaust Memorial, were part of the commemoration. The event took place between Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which holds significant meaning in Jewish tradition. Yom Kippur began on Sunday at sundown and lasted until the following evening.
Notably, the memorial sits above three small caskets containing remains of Holocaust victims from different concentration camps. Throughout the site, numerous names are engraved, ensuring that the memory of those who suffered is honored and preserved.
Prior to receiving national recognition, the local survivor community and their families regularly visited the memorial. In 2017, the freestanding memorial, which was established in 1961, was designated an Ohio Historical Landmark due to the significant presence of survivors residing in Northeast Ohio.
Among those survivors is Art Gelbart, who arrived in the United States at the age of 18 in 1947 after being liberated from a concentration camp at the age of 16. Gelbart continues to share his story, especially with younger generations. Reflecting on his experiences, Gelbart expressed his gratitude for coming to the United States, where he discovered the love and support that this country extended to survivors like him.
His wife, Rose, also a Holocaust survivor, takes immense pride in sharing her story. As a child in Poland, she had to hide because of a lack of Polish identification papers. She vividly recalls witnessing the devastating fires that claimed countless lives. Rose also voiced her despair and frustration at witnessing contemporary instances of antisemitism, questioning why certain groups are targeted and emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence.
Hallie Duchon, the executive director of the Kol Israel Foundation, whose own grandparents were Holocaust survivors, hopes that those who attend the fall service grasp the significance of the foundation’s message, which encompasses resilience, remembrance, and Holocaust education. Beyond honoring those who perished, it is crucial to educate society, combat racism, and eradicate the ignorance that underpins antisemitism. Duchon and Bob Zelwin, president of Kol Israel, emphasize the importance of education for both children and adults, emphasizing that change begins with knowledge.
The gathering at the National Holocaust Memorial not only serves as a solemn remembrance of the lives lost during one of history’s darkest chapters but also as a powerful call to action against hatred, ignorance, and discrimination. Through education and remembrance, this solemn occasion aims to inspire a more compassionate and inclusive future.
