Illil^l"'"'''^
Survivors make history
SUZANNE KORT SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN
w
aw M V c made history today after all these years," remarked Mariette Doduck of Vancouver, one of 15 Holocaust survivors recognized from the floor of the B.C. Legislative Assembly on Yom Hashoah by Attorney General Uijal Dosanjh.
The attorney general, whose office worked with the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), Pacific Region, to organize the event, read an ofiicial proclamation of Holocaust Memorial Day to the
Education and Remembrance Society received a framed copy of the proclamation from Dosanjh to display in Emanu-El synagogue. CJC, Pacific Region, diair Zena Simces accepted a copy on behalf of her agency, as did Dr. Robert Krell, founding president of the Vancouver Holocaust Centre Society for Education and Remembrance.
Survivor and musicologist. Dr. Peter Gary thanked the crowd of MLAs and guests who stood to hear him in the rotunda. Gaiy
Finance Minister Joy MacPhail, CJC, Pacific Region, chair Zena Simces, Holocaust survivor Rita Alcseirod and Dr. Robert Krell.
assembly on April 13. British Columbia is the only government besides Israel and Ontario to publicly recognize the day, which will be recognized annually according to the Hebrew calendar.
The proclamation defined the Holocaust in terms of its cost to the Jewish community, as well as other communities targeted by Nazis during the Second World War, and acknowledged the continued existence of genocide worldwide.
Representatives of at least 14 Jewish agencies joined the survivors in the western gallery overlooking the assembly. Congregations Emanu-El, Har El, Schara Tzedeck and the Okana-gan Jewish commuuiity were represented, as well as Vancouver and Victoria Jewish Federations, CJC - Pacific Region, Louis Brier Home and Hospital, Na'Amat Canada — Vancouver Council, State of Israel Bonds, Vancouver Perctz Institute, Vancouver Genealogical Society, and Holocaust education societies from Vancouver and Victoria.
A reception preceded the proclamation. There, Richard Kool of the Victoria Holocaust
has shared his experiences and insights witli thousands of Vancouver Island students, beseeching them to help build a better world. Jessica Zimbler, a Victoria secondary student, read three poems written by local middle school students.
Victoria's rabbi, David Sei-denberg, injected humor into the solemn yet welcome occasion by quoting Rabbi Shemayah from Pirkci Avot (Ethics of our Fathers): "Love work, hate authority, and don't get friendly with the government" However, Seidenberg'noted that, "It is easy to give words, but it is harder to give action. A declaration is both words and a deed. I trust, and pray, that these words and deeds will be followed by more deeds."
Seidenberg ended the ceremony with a prayer written by his predecessor. Rabbi Victor Rcinstein. The prayer encouraged Canadians to be a source of peace in the world and ensure that none will "... ever be too many for any people seeking refuge in our land of plenty." □
Suzanne Korl is a freelance writer living in Victoria.
Qotteetlo^
Bisou-Bisou Emanuel Tahari Part Two KB
Nine West Unisa
DKNY KSSeiectk SteiimanRj in Wear ] Helena Sd
Franco Sarli Enzo
[Angiolini IGlac^e
Thank you for supporting our Spring fashion show! We have raised over $5,000 for the Childrens Hospital Foundation.
4346 West 10th (at Discovery) 228-1214 Parking al rear
Ifs Tune Your Investment Plan Went In The Right Direction.
Financial security doesn't happen by chance. It's the result of an investment plan that is properly
timed and moves steadily ifi the right direction. The investment fund specialists at Zlotnik, Lamb are
experienced in planning your financial future and assisting you in making sound, informed investment decisions. Their service is professional, proven... and tailored to your individual needs. For an investment plan that stands the test of time, call Zlotnik, Lamb today.
"Advice is only as good as the person you ask..."
M ZLOTNIK, LAMB & COMPANY
Life Insurance, Financial Products, Employee Benefits, Structured Settlements
1200 Park Place, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 2X8 Phone: (604) 688-7208 Fax: (604) 688-7268 Toll Free Line 1-800-663-3171
cn
CM
a.
5
35
