Reprinted with permission from WFSB Channel 3 News April 20, 2001

Solemn Service Remembers Holocaust

By: Susan Raff                                                                                            April 20, 2001

More than half century ago six million jews were killed during the holocaust and every year the victims are remembered.  Thursday night at a service in South Windsor it was explained why it's more important than ever to "never forget."  Channel 3's Susan Raff has the story.

Many of those who survived the holocaust are now in their 80's and 90's --- and many jews fear that when the survivors die so will history.  Thursday night in a special service, people read the names of victims --- giving a each victim a meaningful memory in hopes the holocaust or anything like it will never happen again.

Rhoda Stein can't forget.

She was just a child during the holocaust -- only she and her cousin survived Nazi death camps.

Thursday night, members of two area temples joined together for Yom Hashoah--- a service honoring the victims of the holocaust.

Six vases represented the six million who were murdered...

One by one, participants came to the front, read a name, and placed a flower in one of the vases.

"These are my sons," says Debbie Luria.  "We felt it was important for them to be here because my grandparents died in the holocaust."

Kay Nabel knows first-hand why it's to never forget.  She's a holocaust survivor herself.

"The worst part was losing my whole family," she says.  "I don't have anybody close at all."

Kay and Eugenia Press have a close friendship -- they share many of the same painful memories.

"The russians came in and took everything," Eugenia says.  "They said if you want to survive come with us."

As the survivors get older, their worst fear is that future generations will forget. Rabbi Alan Lefkowitz of Congregation Beth Ahm says he's committed to making sure that never happens.

"I am committed to keeping history alive," he says, "because in 10 or a 100 years there won't be any survivors left."

About 70 people filled the temple in South Windsor --- it was a very sad but meaningful service.  The bands with the names of the victims came from the holocaust museum in Israel.

©WFSB News 2001