Your turn: Public invited to annual Holocaust Memorial Observance

The Jewish Federation of Greater Rockford is sponsoring the annual Holocaust Memorial Observance on Sunday, May 5.

The remembrance will be held at 3:00 pm at Midway Village, 6799 Guilford Rd. in Rockford.

It has been eighty years since the Holocaust ended, and we are again experiencing alarming antisemitism in our world.

Antisemitism has ancient roots stretching back to the medieval age and beyond. It is a conspiracy theory that can change with the times. The Nazis did not invent antisemitism, rather they took advantage of the existing hate to manipulate the people into allowing the Holocaust to occur.

Antisemitism was widespread through many countries in the world. Unfortunately, there are also levels of Islamophobia, and hate towards Black, LGBT, Asian, and immigrant communities. Surveys show that these prejudices are also on the rise.

We must work together in combating all hatred and bigotry.

This makes the Holocaust a contemporary issue. It shows us the atmosphere in which genocide can occur. We can see that many people have prejudices that are based on falsehoods and are not logical.

Antisemitism seems to be socially acceptable and prejudicial beliefs are not challenged. The Holocaust Remembrance gives us the opportunity to safeguard the memory of the Holocaust, promote tolerance, and protect the multi-cultural society in which we live.

Although there are still a dwindling number of survivors in Milwaukee and the Chicago area, they are unable to travel to Rockford to tell their story. It is too difficult at their advanced ages.

It is now time for the second generation to tell of the horrors that their families experienced. It is the duty of all of us to bear witness and pass on the lessons learned from the Holocaust and to never forget the crimes that were committed.

Edith Jakobs is a local Holocaust survivor that was just 11 years old when she went into hiding in a small room in the countryside of Holland with her parents, brother and 9 others.

What they thought was only to be a few weeks turned into 2 years and 8 months. Edith is too frail to attend, but her incredible story will be shared by her daughter-in-law, Margo Jakobs.

We are honored to be joined by local dignitaries who will read proclamations. We are grateful to our sponsor, Midway Village Museum, for hosting the remembrance and for including us in their programming.

A new traveling poster display from the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem will be displayed. This exhibition presents visual documentation of the Holocaust from three perspectives: the Germans, the Jewish victims and the liberators.

The exhibition seeks to draw attention to the means used by the photographers who documented the events, and how they influenced the understanding and interpretation of these events. A musical introduction will serve as a powerful tribute to those who suffered and perished.

For more information, contact Goldie Pekarsky at the Jewish Federation 815-399-5497 or email at rockfordfederation@sbcglobal.net.

There is no cost to attend and the public is welcome.

Goldie Pekarsky is the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rockford.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Your turn: Public invited to annual Holocaust Memorial Observance