Friends Worldwide 34

USA

Philanthropist and Holocaust survivor Selma Gruder Horowitz (right), and Caroline Arfa Massel, grandchild of Holocaust survivors and successful businesswoman (left), were each presented with the American Society for Yad Vashem Achievement Award at the Society’s Fourth Annual Spring Luncheon. Guest speaker at the luncheon, held at The Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan, was eminent historian Sir Martin Gilbert.

East Coast Chairman of the American Society for Yad Vashem Jack Pechter and his wife Marilyn—Benefactors of Yad Vashem—hosted an event for the Society’s Florida Chapter at their Boca Raton home. Guest speaker was former astronaut Senator Bill Nelson (right with his hosts), who expressed great support for Israel and admiration for the achievements of Holocaust survivors.

Marcia (left) and Yaacov Toledano and their daughters Keren (second from left) and Michal (right) visited Yad Vashem (pictured near the Partisans’ Panorama, built through the generosity of Marcia’s parents Julia and Isidore Karten z”l). 

Jane and Alan Cornell of Florida toured Yad Vashem in May and visited the tree planted in honor of Righteous Among the Nations Jan Sprey, who saved Alan’s parents, Frida and Ernst Cornell z”l—Builders of Yad Vashem’s New Museum Complex—in the Netherlands.

At a special ceremony posthumously honoring Milena Herbenova as Righteous Among the Nations, Israel’s Minister for Jerusalem, Society and Diaspora Affairs Natan Sharansky (left) presented the award to her son Milan Herben (right). Mrs. Herbenova saved the life of Eva Novotna-Beerova in Prague during the Shoah, after Eva’s father perished and her mother was sent to Auschwitz. The ceremony took place at Temple Emanu-el in San Francisco, as part of the Holocaust Remembrance Day program.

Yad Vashem mourns the loss of a great friend and supporter Avraham (Abe) Spiegel z”l. Born in Mukachevo (now the Ukraine), Abe married his childhood companion Edita (z”l) in 1940.  In 1944 they were sent to Auschwitz together with their two-year-old son, Uziel, who perished.  After the Shoah, Abe and Edita rebuilt their lives while treasuring in their hearts the memory of their dear son. Abe became a successful businessman, great philanthropist and steadfast supporter of Israel and Yad Vashem, and a leader in the Los Angeles Jewish Community.  He also served as West Coast Chairman of the American Society for Yad Vashem. In 1987, the Spiegels dedicated the Children’s Memorial, commemorating the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust, to Uziel’s memory. The monument testifies to the Spiegels’ generosity as well as their commitment to commemorating the Holocaust and transmitting its legacy to future generations.

Yad Vashem mourns the passing of Joseph J. Bukiet z”l, founding member and Vice Chairman of the American Society for Yad Vashem. A survivor of the Shoah, Joseph contributed greatly to Holocaust Remembrance.

Canada

Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev (left) presented the Gurs Haggadah to Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Hecht of Montreal during a recent visit to Yad Vashem.

In March, Linda and William Hechter of Toronto (below left in the Administration and Research Building) and Judy and Isaac Thau of Vancouver (left by the temporary Donors’ Wall) visited Yad Vashem. Carol and Howard Tanenbaum (bottom right and second from left) and their son and daughter-in-law Daniel and Kim Tanenbaum of Toronto, toured the Historical Museum. 

UK

Dame Vivien Duffield

)center), Chairperson of the Clore-Israel Foundation, visited Yad Vashem together with the Foundation’s trustees Sir David Sieff and Caroline Deletra, and director Kay Weinberger (left). The group toured the “No Child’s Play” exhibit and the site of the new Holocaust History Museum with Avner Shalev (right).

Australia

Paul and Vivienne Zimmet (left and second from right), Andrew Gutwirth (center), and Ambassador (ret.) Raphael Gvir (right) of Jerusalem visited Yad Vashem (pictured in Janusz Korczak Square together with Director of the International Relations Division Shaya Ben Yehuda, second from left).

Frank and Shirley Lowy of Sydney visited the Historical Museum together with their children and grandchildren.

Brazil

Miriam and Henry Necrycz (Ben Avraham) dedicated a garden at the entrance to the Administration and Research Building in memory of their parents, who perished in the Holocaust.  The ceremony also marked the release of their Holocaust-period memoirs, published by Yad Vashem. 

Venezuela

During their visit to Yad Vashem, Miguel Vaisman (right) and his wife Miriam Landau de Vaisman (front center) toured the Archives and the site of the new Holocaust History Museum, and viewed the "No Childs Play" exhibit, accompanied by Shaya Ben Yehuda (left).

Mexico

Leon and Lily Schidlow toured the New Museum Complex (left, in the new Hall of Names) and were given a preview of museum artifacts.

During their brief stay in Israel, a delegation of the Chamber of Commerce Mexico-Israel, led by Elias Massri (center, after presenting a gift to Shaya Ben Yehuda), made sure to include a visit to Yad Vashem.

Germany

Moniek Stawski of Frankfurt (back row, between Shaya Ben Yehuda, left, and Avner Shalev) visited Yad Vashem together with his daughter Naomi and son-in-law Andre Altholz and their children from Israel. 

France

Maxi Librati (right), and Nicolas Roth, Treasurer of the Comité Français pour Yad Vashem, laid a wreath on behalf of the Comité on Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

Copyright ©2004 Yad Vashem The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority