I don’t need a reminder. I have a large grey stone sitting on my bookcase from the horrific railway track at Auschwitz – Birkenau. The tour guide encouraged visitors to take them – not as souvenirs, but to ensure no one forgets. Ever. As if a stone can make a difference.
I have written a few times about my late cousin Harry – first cousin twice removed. We met when I was 12, then – at 15, in Florida – he taught me to swim and his wife Dorothy bought me my first strawberry daiquiri. They took me to my first London show (Annie) – and their daughter Adrienne is one of my favourite people on this planet. We play scrabble online together every day and she knows every tiny snippet of information about my life.
“There but for the grace of God…” I’m not a religious person but I like that quote, and it rings true today. Had we been born in a different time, in a different place, it would be a very different story.
Harry served in WWII: a smiling young American soldier with sparkling eyes. But he didn’t stay smiling as he carefully documented his time in war-torn Europe, sending letters to his sweetheart Dorothy, waiting for him at home in New York.
Against all the odds, those letters survived, including his account of liberating the Dachau concentration camp. What a brave man. I understand he never again spoke of the horrors he witnessed.
My cousin Adrienne donated those letters to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, along with pictures, postmarked envelopes and an original ‘Annihilation of Metzrich’ pamphlet, telling of the total destruction of the town by the Nazis. These items, the Harry Oberyant Collection, are proudly displayed by my family as an enduring testament to the absolute tragedy of war. They’re also used in research and lectures to maintain the credibility of the Holocaust. My cousin Adrienne said, the first time I posted about Harry: “The hope is that no one ever forgets; but we know that can’t be – the generations will go and it will become harder, harder – we can only all hope to make some small – infinitesimal contribution to something.”
This year’s theme for Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Bridging Generations’ – my brave cousin’s legacy does that.
This morning I had the honour of singing at the London Borough of Redbridge Holocaust Memorial Day service in Valentines Park’s beautiful Holocaust Memorial Garden. Thank you to everyone involved in creating this special event each year – including the Mayor, Councillor Beverley Brewer; Councillor Kam Rai, Leader of the Council; Rabbi Sufrin; Rabbi Wollenberg; Dr Fahim, Imam from the South Woodford Islamic Centre; Claire Hamilton and the wonderful school children who spoke so eloquently. Particular thanks to the Met Police whose presence always provides a safe space – and to Jane and Davida, my choir friends; it was very special singing on the stage with you.
If you light a candle today, you’re remembering all those so brutally murdered:
- 6 million Jewish people
- 250,000 Disabled people (You can learn more about this at https://www.together2012.org.uk/activities-programme/2025-events-programme/the-dark-door-opening-by-penny-pepper/.)
- Romany people
- Gay people
- Prisoners of War
- Politically outspoken people
My thoughts today are closer to home, with friends whose lives continue to be affected by the horrors of the Holocaust. They don’t need stones to remember. May all those who passed rest in peace, and to the families that remain – we say in Judaism “I wish you long life.”
Leave a Reply