Today is January 27, 2020. Today I’ve seen countless articles, social media posts, and news broadcasts about helicopter crashes, political campaigns and impeachment. While all of that is certainly newsworthy and important, it seems as though it has drown out something else. Something of utmost importance has been forgotten today, which is discouraging, because the world has vowed to never forget it.
Today, 75 years ago, Auschwitz was liberated. Today is International Holocaust Rememberance Day. Today should not be forgotten or overshadowed, because, in the words of Elie Wiesel “to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.”
We owe it to the victims, the dwindling number of survivors, and their families to remember. We owe it to ourselves to remember that there is evil in our world, and to ensure it doesn’t rear its ugly head ever again.
We owe it to the little girl in this photo to ensure Hitler and those who carry similar beliefs never “win”.
Liora Stark turned 3 years old only one week before this anniversary & day of remembrance. Her shining smile that hides behind a shy but sweet demeanor is evidence that Hitler did not win. Liora’s great grandmother, Margaret Elsberg Stark, was a Holocaust Survivor, but much like many survivors, she won’t be able to tell Liora her story. This is because, just a few years before Liora was born, Margaret passed away, leaving her legacy to behind to those of us who vow to remember.
Liora’s father, Jason Stark, is a history teacher and is devout in his Jewish faith. Liora is lucky, because once she’s old enough to understand the gravity of the legacy that will eventually be her’s to carry, her father will tell Liora her great grandmother’s story, and do it with honesty and love. I have no doubt the bright and beautiful girl sitting in my lap will one day be able to carry on her great grandmother’s legacy, and for that I am eternally proud and grateful. It is for those who no longer have an earthly voice to speak for them, that we must remember.
For the 6 million who lost their voices when their lives were stolen, just because they were Jewish, we must remember. For the victims who never got to tell their story, we must remember. For the victims that lost their entire families, or worse, never had the chance to start one at all, we must remember. For Liora, who will not be able to shoulder the burden of remembrance alone, we must remember. For all of the people facing oppression, brutality and senseless murder because they do not look, act, or pray the same way as their governments, we must remember.
We must remember in order to fulfill the promise of “Never Again”. We must remember not only for the Jews, but for humanity itself.