HILLEL@FSU

Students and community honor the memories and survivors of the Holocaust – –by Jenne Vermes – Senior Staff Writer FSView

Family, hunger, love, pain, honor, murder, salvation, loss. These words, significant to all, describe not only the events of horrifying wars past but also of the terrible state of the present. One cannot think that history is merely a required class when the trials and tribulations of the past are the same as those the world faces today. The most important thing a person can do in the state of the present is to remember the past. On the 71st anniversary of Kristallnacht, the”Night of Broken Glass,” students at FSU will gather in remembrance as they experience and honor the memories of those who endured the world shattering tragedy that was the Holocaust. November 9th marks the anniversary of the beginning of Nazi Germany’s offensive against and mass genocide of the Jewish people.

In honor of survivors and their memories as well as those lost in the Holocaust, students may attend a dinner called “Recipes for Life,” during which students will prepare and enjoy recipes from the Holocaust Survivor Cookbook, a published collection of recipes submitted by people who had endured the horrifying experience of such a massacre. Through the shared experiences of cooking and dining with one another, students will read their stories and learn the history of this tragedy while they honor a Survivor through the meals they prepare. “We want people to learn from the past and remember for the future,” said Barbara Goldstein, President of the Holocaust Education Resource Council. “Food has always touched the heart and soul, and the great connection with this cookbook is that the Survivors had no food after the Holocaust, just like hunger continues today in the world. One potato had to last a long time.”

Students who attend the dinner will also be treated to a special occasion, as they will hear a speech by Joanne Caras, the author of the Holocaust Survivor Cookbook, as well as have the opportunity to purchase hand signed copies of the book on site. In her intimate presentation, Caras, will explain how and why the book was created as well as read and relate to many of the heartfelt stories that accompany the recipes. All proceeds from the sales of the cookbook are donated to Jewish charities, totaling over $400,000 donated to date.

The issues that affected the world during the years of World War II are not very different from those that affect the world today. Until recently, most Americans have never felt the dread of war, the fear of not just their own deaths but the death of a nation, of a way of life. Now, as people around the world are feeling the fear of war and the pain of hunger, the act of remembrance is vital. “This is a great opportunity for students of all walks of life to come together in sharing a common goal of remembrance and passing our ideals of peace along so that history doesn’t repeat itself,” said Jewish Student Union president, Felicia Lilien. “The survivors of the Holocaust are quickly fading and our generation has the distinct honor of carrying on the tradition of survival. This dinner will serve to remind us that we have a duty to pass the torch and spread the light by never forgetting and never allowing our children to face the suffering of those who came before us.”

Hillel at FSU will be coordinating the “Recipe for Life” dinner, and any and all FSU students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Another facet of the event will be the opportunity to affect the lives of those who are currently suffering in Darfur as the victims of the Nazi Regime had during World War II. Challah for Hunger, a national organization with the goal of raising awareness and money for relief in Darfur through the sales of Challah Bread, has a chapter at Florida State University which will be present at the dinner in the hopes of making a connection between the tragedy of the past and the grave state of the present. “We are baking the challah for this event to show that genocide is a very real problem, and that people are still being affected by it,” said Sara Benvenisty, Mitzvah Corp. Chair for the Hillel student board. “Because of our history, we want to make sure to bring awareness of those suffering from something that had affected the Jewish people as well.”

The dinner will take place on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, November 9, at 7:00 pm at Hillel at FSU. Students may attend free of cost, though non-students will be asked to pay $36.00 per person. For more information, please contact Hillel at FSU, the Jewish Student Union, or Barbara Goldstein by phone at 443-9649 or email at ronbarbms@yahoo.com.

In order to understand someone, one must know their fears and joys, their needs, their desires to share.  One cannot know someone until they understand these things. Indeed people cannot know even themselves until they know about others. Students who attend the “Recipes for Life” Holocaust memorial dinner will have the opportunity to share in the experiences, both honorable and tragic, of those who survived and those who gave their lives for their identity. This is truly a night to remember.

“Our generation has the distinct honor of carrying on the tradition of survival.”-Felicia Lilien