USA

Yad Vashem Benefactor and Holocaust survivor Elizabeth Wilf (right), and Young Leadership Associate Keren Toledano (left), a formative force behind the Clarion Award-winning journal The Jewish Child From Then To Now, were each presented with the American Society for Yad Vashem Achievement Award at the Society’s Sixth Annual Spring Luncheon (here pictured with American Society for Yad Vashem Chairman Eli Zborowski). Guest speaker at the luncheon, held at the Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan, was survivor and noted author and lecturer Gerda Weissmann Klein.

On 9 June, the Mitzner family of Houston and Florida attended the dedication of Yad Vashem’s newly renovated Warsaw Ghetto Square. Pictured with Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev (from left to right): Yad Vashem Benefactor David Mitzner (left) who grew up on Mila Street in Warsaw; son Jacob Mitzner; son Ira and his wife Mindy Mitzner; and Jacob’s wife Marilyn Mitzner. Mitzner’s grandson Michael (not pictured) was awarded a plaque in recognition of his recent bar-mitzvah.

Due to the tremendous interest in Yad Vashem’s exhibition on the Auschwitz Album at the Field Museum in Chicago, the American Society for Yad Vashem has agreed to extend its display for another four months. Since its opening in January, more than 110,000 people have viewed the exhibition, brought to Chicago by Yad Vashem Benefactors Renee and Lester Crown (left) and family. Lester Crown is “delighted that so many people are interested in the exhibition. It is very important for Chicago.”

In March, the delegation of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) visited Yad Vashem as part of its centennial activities. Pictured: Director of Yad Vashem’s International Relations Division Shaya Ben Yehuda (left) leading the tour through the new Holocaust History Museum, attended by Yad Vashem supporter Shrub Kempner (center) and former AJC president Bruce Ramer (right).

On 7 May, Prof. Fred Tauber of Boston, son of Yad Vashem Benefactor Dr. Laszlo N. Tauber z”l, presented Avner Shalev with a signed letter written by Albert Einstein to Hermann Kesten of the Emergency Rescue Committee. In the letter, Einstein asks Kesten for his assistance in helping Jews flee Nazi Germany prior to the outbreak of the war.

Honored guest, American Society Chairman Eli Zborowski at the official state opening ceremony of Holocaust Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem, together with grandson Boaz Zborowski (in uniform) and granddaughters Tamar and Maya Naveh

 

Yad Vashem mourns the passing of Samson Bitensky z"l, Samson and  wife, Halina, are Builders of Yad Vashem.
Born in 1920 in Molczadz, then part of Poland and today Belarus, Samson emigrated to the United States in 1938 and served in the US Army during WWII. He founded Fab Industries, a successful textile company, and was a long-time member of the American Society for Yad Vashem. He is survived by his wife, daughters Beth and Susan and their families.
 

UNITED KINGDOM

Rabbi Barry Marcus of the Central Synagogue blows shofar at the Holocaust Remembrance Commemoration Ceremony at Logan Hall, flanked by Holocaust survivors and their grandchildren. In attendance were Israeli Ambassador H.E. Mr. Zvi Hefetz, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Levy of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews’ Congregation and prominent representatives of the Anglo-Jewish community.

Yad Vashem Director General Nathan Eitan presented Leon Schaller, OBE (left) and wife Freda with the Yad Vashem key following the dedication ceremony of the classroom they endowed at the International School for Holocaust Studies in June.

Isaac and Myrna Kaye and family in a classroom they endowed at the International School in May, following the unveiling of the recognition plaque in their name.


CANADA

Yad Vashem welcomed its new Director of the English Desk, David Metzler (center), and bid farewell to outgoing director, Solly Kaplinski (right), pictured here with Canadian Society for Yad Vashem President Hank Rosenbaum (left).

At a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony outside the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper (second from left) laid a memorial wreath, joined by (left to right) Harry and Dora Kichler, and Howard, David, Luba and Jarrett Smuschkowitz.

Benefactor Leslie Dan (left) of Toronto visited Yad Vashem in May and toured the new Holocaust History Museum, accompanied by Avner Shalev.


UKRAINE

As part of the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremonies, members of the Ukrainian Society of Yad Vashem led by Igor Kolomoiski (right), Gennady Bogoliubov and Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzki (center) visited Yad Vashem and met with Avner Shalev (left) and Special Advisor to the Chairman Arie Zuckerman. The Society agreed to establish the Ukranian Yad Vashem Fund in memory of victims of the Shoah, which will provide long-term support for many of Yad Vashem’s activities.


CHILE

Among the distinguished guests at a ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day in Santiago, Chile, were President of the Chilean Society for Yad Vashem and Benefactor David Feuerstein (second from right), Keren Hayesod representative David Raz (left), CREJ President Julio Froimovich (second from left), and Chilean Minister of the Interior Andres Zalvidar (right).


MEXICO

Yad Vashem Benefactors Marcos and Adina Katz (center) at the dedication of a new garden at Yad Vashem in memory of Mr. Katz’s parents Efroim Arie and Golda Katz z”l, flanked by Avner Shalev (right) and Director of the Ibero-American Desk Perla Hazan (left)

Orly Beigel (left) was presented with the Yad Vashem key by Avner Shalev and Perla Hazan (right) during a ceremony at the International School for Holocaust Studies in March, which was highlighted by the unveiling of a plaque in memory of her parents.


VENEZUELA

Freddy and Irene Pressner attended an unveiling ceremony in the Square of Hope, where Perla Hazan presented them with the Yad Vashem key.


SPAIN

Yad Vashem supporter Angel Dilla Moliné (right) attended Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremonies at Yad Vashem, including the unveiling of his name inscribed on the Donors Wall in the Square of Hope. Pictured here with Honorary President of the Spanish Society for Yad Vashem Max Mazin (center) and Perla Hazan, who presented Mr. Dilla Moliné with the Yad Vashem key.


THE NETHERLANDS

On 11 May, Yad Vashem Friend and Benefactor Paul Baan and his wife Mineke (fourth and third from right) visited Yad Vashem, accompanied by son Paul and daughter-in-law Danielle (right), and Chairperson of the Noaber Foundation, Israel, Cecile Erez-Blilious (left). They were hosted by French and Benelux Desk Director Miry Gross (second from left).
 

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