Please join us for a “A First Hand Account of the Shoah,” where we will host a very special speaker and incredibly impactful program that will take place at Israel Congregation in Manchester Vermont on Wednesday, April 30th at 5:30pm. Rena Bernstein is a child survivor of the Holocaust and experienced hardships that none of us can imagine, so the world must bear witness to her story of survival. Rena returns to us to share her story, open up to you for questions, and to discuss her feeling about the rise of worldwide antisemitism in the wake of the war between Israel and Hamas. It has been two years since Rena originally came to us and her message remains more critical than ever eighty years after the Holocaust ended.
As told by Rena, “I’m Rena Bernstein. I’m a Polish Jew. Out of 30 thousand Jews in our Southeastern area of Poland I am the only Jewish child survivor. Mother, Father and I were the only nuclear family to survive. It is a miracle accomplished by my optimistic and determined Mother who saved us from total despair.” Attendees will be able to hear her full story for themselves, and the event will bring her history to life.
Rebecca Charhon, the Education Director of Israel Congregation emphasizes the value of stories of the Holocaust. As a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor, she states, “I know the importance of remembrance. We need to hear the utterly tragic stories, as well as the stories of heroism and survival. We need to try to put ourselves in a Holocaust survivor’s shoes. We need to remember the six million Jews and millions of others who perished for no other reason than hate.” Rebecca firmly believes that her job as an educator is to create programs that commemorate and observe the Holocaust. “As the years pass, the possibility to forget is there and we must stop that. As a grandchild of a survivor, I know that one of my responsibilities is to remind people of the terrible history of the Holocaust. It is hard to believe that we are seeing the world become increasingly antisemitic. We must take the time to be sad and remember the past as well as be angry, but then we must learn from the history and have the tools to educate others in the world today.”
Although this program is not recommended for young children, parents are encouraged to include older children as they feel appropriate and encourage their teens to attend. This program is meant for both those new to learning about the Holocaust and those wishing to learn more, or even those who have heard many speakers. Rebecca, who knows Rena, tells us, “I have heard her story many times and read her book. She knows how to touch her audience in an emotional heartfelt way that I have never seen. I have seen her speak to young adults and I know the impassioned way she speaks about her story. Rena is a beautiful soul, and her story must be told. I am honored to know her and to be able to help bring her back to the Manchester area.”
Information as to how to purchase Ms. Bernstein’s mother, Jafa Wallach’s book, Bitter Freedom: Memoirs of a Holocaust Survivor will be available at the event.
Major funding for this event is provided by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation with the goal of promoting family educational events. RSVPs are required for the event. To RSVP or for any questions or additional information please reach out to office@icmvt.com or 802-362-4578.