Monday Marked Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom HaShoah

Some Holocaust survivors, now elderly, shared their stories. The ones alive today were children during the Holocaust. They lost their parents, siblings, and entire families.

Over six million people died, including 1.5 million children. While some survived concentration camps, others escaped or were hidden, they still live with the horrors and guilt of surviving. Survivor Regina Behar shared her story. What struck me was she said, “my childhood was stolen.” She, along with others, survived thanks to those who risked their lives to protect them.

Rabbi Farber shared an interesting story in regards to what is said in the Bible. There is a passage that every generation will see evil. In other words, there will be another snake that comes out of the ground to attack the Jews.

During the times of historical struggles and war many leaders did not choose to be leaders. David, Joseph, and Ruth are some of the heroes that stood up against oppression. They stood up, spoke out, and did what was necessary at personal risk to protect their community.

Since World War II the message has been Never Again! Since October 7th we have been saying Never Again is Now! I have listened over the years to many survivors. It is always very emotional but necessary. The pain they endured. Their childhood was stolen from them. The sense of guilt for being the only person to survive. Their words are true. Their words are not some made-up stories that Holocaust deniers like to spin.

Florida State Representative Fabian Basabe shared such an amazing speech. I was hoping to get a copy of it rather than just taking bits of it for this article. He made it a point to say, “standing up for truth is not political. Standing up for your community is not political. Speaking out and doing the right thing is not political.“

Other speakers, including him, shared the fact that silence and not speaking out equals utter surrender. If not us and now then when.

Mayor Steven Meiner from Miami Beach also shared the same message. He told us when he just became Mayor October 7th occurred. He had to deal with protestors. He had to deal with misguided Palestinian supporters blocking roads and attacking local Jewish businesses. He did not back down. He shared his story when he had first started to set up boundaries for the protesters. They were actually sued for free speech. He did not stand down. He won and his ordinance has become a model for other cities. Even to this day any person that spews lies and hate from the podium in his chambers will never sit silent.

Lies need to be called out and corrected. I have said this all along. Supporting the fight against hate is extremely important. It is a start. Inaction or indifference allows lies and misinformation to continue and grow into the hate that we are seeing now. I ask everyone if you see a lie, call it out. These lies create stupidity. Stupidity creates ignorant followers. You may not agree with everything but in a world like today, facts of history matter.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share!