Past Conferences
2014, Berlin Claims Conference News
August 24 thru Wednesday August 27, 2014 From the Executive Committee of the WFJHS&D: President— Stefanie Seltzer Executive Vice President—Steve Adler Vice Presidents— Chana Arnon, Anita Ekstein, Jacques Fein, Melissa Hacker, Max Arpels Lezer, René Lichtman, Daisy Miller, Henri Obstfeld, Melita Svob Secretary—Charles Silow Treasurer— Isaac Kot…
August 24 thru Wednesday August 27, 2014
From the Executive Committee of the WFJHS&D:
President— Stefanie Seltzer
Executive Vice President—Steve Adler
Vice Presidents— Chana Arnon, Anita Ekstein, Jacques Fein, Melissa Hacker, Max Arpels Lezer, René Lichtman, Daisy Miller, Henri Obstfeld, Melita Svob
Secretary—Charles Silow
Treasurer— Isaac Kot
* * * * * * *
We are very saddened by the loss of our dear friend, our sister, Renata Zajdman. Renata was a truly a remarkable woman and a devoted friend to many of us. Her courage carried her throughout her life and particularly so the last decade of her life when she valiantly, with the help of her son Michael and daughter Sharon, fought cancer. Renata courageously carried on until the very last and missed no opportunity to speak movingly of her past and to convey the message that we must not hate; we must move forward and teach the younger generation about man’s humanity to man.
We’ll have more comments about Renata in our next WFNU. If you have memories of Renata, or any other members of our extended child survivor family, please let us know. We need to recognize and remember each other.
Stefanie Seltzer
* * * * * * * * * *
OSE-USA President, Norbert Bikales, retires
Long time President of OSE-USA Alumni, Norbert Bikales, has officially retired.
Long -time Treasurer Jacques Fein, will now co-lead OSE-USA Alumni with 2G OSE person, Claudine Schweber.
Norbert, Happy Retirement, now what?
* * * * * * * * * *
News from the Claims Conference
White House to Create Liaison for Survivor Needs
Dec 11, 2013
Dear Stefanie,
I am pleased to inform you that after our intensive discussions over the past several months with the White House, Vice President Joseph Biden has announced three major policy initiatives that will focus on the needs of survivors in the United States. Of course, these are tremendously important steps for the United States government to take in addressing the needs of U.S. survivors:
1. Government Liaison for Holocaust Survivor Needs
The Obama administration will appoint a senior level government domestic policy envoy to deal specifically with the needs and concerns of Holocaust victims in the U.S. Vice President Biden said that a position will be created within the Department of Health and Human Services to work with survivors and the organizations that assist them in the United States. The new liaison will help support initiatives to aid needy victims while encouraging the private sector to also focus on this area. “This will make the government more responsive to a Hungarian survivor in the Bronx who needs a wheelchair or the elderly woman with memories of Warsaw ghetto who needs a ride to the doctor,” said the Vice President.
2. AmeriCorps Work with Nazi Victims
The U.S. government will create a program within AmeriCorps to partner volunteers with local organizations that assist Nazi victims living in need. AmeriCorps and VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members are going to work at national and local levels to help plan and execute these programs, recruit and manage volunteers, and help develop resources to meet the needs. We expect the volunteers will be placed primarily in the Claims Conference network of agencies providing services to Nazi victims in the United States.
3. Public-Private Partnership
The Obama Administration will propose, in the U.S. Federal budget, a fund for welfare services for Nazi victims resident in the United States. The government will promote public-private partnerships with foundations, nonprofit organizations and the private sector to “increase the resources available to support these survivors and their unmet needs,” said Mr. Biden.
All of these initiatives result from extensive consultation with us, as well as key service providers that we currently fund and several other Jewish organizations with which we work such as the Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Services. In addition, the Vice President stressed the Obama Administration’s support for property restitution efforts in Eastern Europe and the work of the WJRO. “Some countries have found meaningful and expedient ways to resolve these issues, which can be complex and difficult. But others have not. We will continue to work very closely with you and with the World Jewish Restitution Organizations and through our diplomatic efforts to urge others in Central and Eastern Europe to step up.” Vice President Biden said. Indeed, the Vice President and his National Security team have been extremely helpful with the recent activities in eastern European countries such as Poland, Romania, and Ukraine.
The Vice President made his remarks at a luncheon yesterday honoring the 100th anniversary of the JDC. The Claims Conference has been working extensively with the office of the Vice President for some time, bringing him and his staff detailed information about the plight of Nazi victims, the resources available to help them, and the needs that are not met and will continue to grow over the next number of years. We have done this in addition to our continued work with our friends in the U.S. Congress and at the State Department, whose support has been invaluable to our work and our ability to increase aid and payments to Nazi victims.
Secretary of State John Kerry spoke at a JDC event earlier in the week. Both he and the Vice President, in moving and personal words, praised the work of Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, our Special Negotiator, on behalf of Holocaust survivors. JDC also presented a moving tribute to Saul Kagan, who pioneered our 62-year partnership with the organization in order to provide relief and aid to Nazi victims after the war, behind the Iron Curtain, and into the present day. We will send more about that in a future report.
The Claims Conference will of course continue to work with Vice President Biden and our supporters in Congress to provide the information that the new government liaison will need in order to effectively support and advocate for Holocaust victims. As the primary organization funding aid to survivors in the U.S. and in the world, we look forward to working closely with the new liaison.
We thank, as always, the U.S. government for its commitment and action on behalf of Nazi victims. Its support has been crucial to our work and therefore to the well-being and dignity of survivors. Read excerpts from Vice President Biden’s remarks
Best wishes,
Julius Berman
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
2014 Conference, Berlin
Following are links to important articles that, because of space limitations, could not be included in our latest newsletter Mishpocha! The articles deal with topics discussed at our Berlin 2014 Conference or are personal descriptions of the conference. ****** A critique of Holocaust education in Germany, by Anna Rosmus. In this article Ms. Rosmus tells the…
Following are links to important articles that, because of space limitations, could not be included in our latest newsletter Mishpocha! The articles deal with topics discussed at our Berlin 2014 Conference or are personal descriptions of the conference.
******
A critique of Holocaust education in Germany, by Anna Rosmus. In this article Ms. Rosmus tells the story of Flora Altbair, Holocaust survivor but one of many “countless missing links” who might have been lost to history. Click on Flora Anna Rosmus
****
Report from Berlin Conference by Kindertransport 2G, Anita Grosz. Click on Anita Grosz
*****
The day following our Berlin 2014 Conference, the World Federation organized an important meeting with the Claims Conference and German officials. The goal was reparations for our “Lost Childhoods”. Following the meeting, a German newspaper “Die Welt” published the following article, here translated by the Berlin Child Survivors Group. Click on They Survived the Holocaust
****
Correction: below incorrectly attributes the Child Survivor panel articles Dr. Krell submitted – to the Claims Conference Symposium.
Below is a copy of Dr. Krell’s speech given at the Claims Conference Symposium, August 27th, 2014.
Symposium_ Berlin_Dr_Robert_Krell_August_27_2014
Below is Dr. Robert Krell evaluation of World Federation presentations, not Claims Conference, during the Berlin Conference 2014. Apologies for the erroneous title:
Claims Conference PresentationsMishpocha submission February 2015 – Berlin – Robert Krell
2014 Berlin Conference News
Berlin Conference 2014 Huge Success. Over 375 attend, Child Survivors, 2G, 3G, entire families, from 16 countries. Below is link to article by Dr. Charles Silow, 2G from Detroit on the 2014 Berlin Conference http://chaim2g.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DetroitJewishNews-3.pdf Charley’s article appeared in the Detroit Jewish News. Charley has also written about his visit to the Lodz Commemoration, after…
Berlin Conference 2014 Huge Success.
Over 375 attend, Child Survivors, 2G, 3G, entire families, from 16 countries.
Below is link to article by Dr. Charles Silow, 2G from Detroit
on the 2014 Berlin Conference
http://chaim2g.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DetroitJewishNews-3.pdf
Charley’s article appeared in the Detroit Jewish News. Charley has also written about his visit to the Lodz Commemoration, after our Berlin Conference. Thank you Charley.
* * * * * * *
Below is our own brief evaluation of Berlin 2014.
The Berlin 2014 conference has been a great success. We had great speakers, on timely subjects, our usual important workshops, for Child Survivor, for 2G and 3G, lead by dedicated professionals, and important panels discussing issues of the day.
The hotel was beautiful, staff extremely helpful, attentive, and good food.
We are in process of getting speeches from the conference and photos as well. So please stay tuned.
Special thanks to our team in Berlin, who did so much with so few.
Our next conference is Houston, Texas, in 2015. Details to come.
We welcome all articles, photos, comments….please send us your views of the Berlin conference, and photos….
2014 Conference, Berlin, Photos
We cry during the day and dance at night – photos by Melissa Traub, Charles Silow, Uri Ophir, Rene Lichtman, Mel Boas.
We cry during the day and dance at night – photos by Melissa Traub, Charles Silow, Uri Ophir, Rene Lichtman, Mel Boas.
2014 Conference Berlin, World Federation Newsletter Reports
Dear Friends, The September edition of the WFNU includes information about the successful Berlin conference. We also announce the 2015 host city will be Houston TX. There is update information about the Claims Conference, and a Resolution by the Wold Federation on Anti-Semitism, intended for media distribution. Click here to read: WFNU Sept 2014
Dear Friends,
The September edition of the WFNU includes information about the successful Berlin conference. We also announce the 2015 host city will be Houston TX. There is update information about the Claims Conference, and a Resolution by the Wold Federation on Anti-Semitism, intended for media distribution.
Click here to read: WFNU Sept 2014
2014 Conference, Berlin, Closing Ceremony
Once again we must say goodbye… until next time… HOUSTON, TEXAS, 2015 We miss our dear friend “the fat lady” as she called herself, who always closed our conferences, dear Sofia Shulman, from Poland/New York.
Once again we must say goodbye… until next time… HOUSTON, TEXAS, 2015
We miss our dear friend “the fat lady” as she called herself, who always closed our conferences, dear Sofia Shulman, from Poland/New York.
2013 Las Vegas, Nevada, Kristallnacht Service
The entire Las Vegas community was invited to attend our joint Kristallnacht program, co-hosted by ourselves and the local Jewish Federation. Candles were lit in a moving ceremony and Dr. Berenbaum spoke.
The entire Las Vegas community was invited to attend our joint Kristallnacht program, co-hosted by ourselves and the local Jewish Federation.
Candles were lit in a moving ceremony and Dr. Berenbaum spoke.
2013 Las Vegas, Nevada, Speakers
Many excellent speakers presented at our plenaries and on panels.
Many excellent speakers presented at our plenaries and on panels.
2013 Las Vegas, Second and Third Generations
Generations of the Shoah International worked hard to bring out 2G’s and 3G’s.
Generations of the Shoah International worked hard to bring out 2G’s and 3G’s.
2013 Las Vegas, Schmoozing
There were many very animated discussions… “two Jews, three opinions…” so when you have over 400 Jews, by the end of our conference we have many opinions.
There were many very animated discussions… “two Jews, three opinions…” so when you have over 400 Jews, by the end of our conference we have many opinions.
2013 Las Vegas, Michael Berenbaum on Kristallnacht
Michael Berenbaum: “Kristallnacht: The Reich Pogrom at 75: The End of the Beginning, the Beginning of the End.”
Michael Berenbaum: "Kristallnacht: The Reich Pogrom at 75: The End of the Beginning, the Beginning of the End."
2012 Cleveland Conference
The 2012 annual conference was a resounding success, with nearly 400 child survivors, family, and descendants attending. We heard presentations from internationally known experts such as Robert Krell, Patrick Henry, Mordecai Paldiel, and Menachem Rosensaft. There were captivating panel discussions on diverse topics including “Self Help in the Ghetto” and the future of holocaust education.
The 2012 annual conference was a resounding success, with nearly 400 child survivors, family, and descendants attending. We heard presentations from internationally known experts such as Robert Krell, Patrick Henry, Mordecai Paldiel, and Menachem Rosensaft. There were captivating panel discussions on diverse topics including "Self Help in the Ghetto" and the future of holocaust education. You can read the full text of the presentations by following the links below.
Plenary Presentations
Robert Krell: "30 Years of Friendship, Healing & Education – Our Legacy"
Patrick Henry: "Jewish Resistance to the Nazis"
Mordecai Paldiel: "Righteous Gentiles and Courageous Jews"
Menachem Rosensaft: "Confronting the Demons of Hatred in the 21st Century"
Panel Presentations
Menachem Daum: "A Squandered Legacy: The vanishing prewar communal properties of Polish Jews"
Geoffrey Brahmer: "Self Help In The Ghetto"
Sol Factor: "Teaching the Holocaust After The Last Survivors Are Gone"
Conference Photographs
To see galleries of photos from the conference, see this post: Cleveland 2012 Photos
Cleveland 2012 Photos
Here is a collection of photos from the 2012 Cleveland Conference. To see a photo larger, please click on the photo. Also, professionally photographed images are available from Mark Franks, here: Pollack Studio.
Here is a collection of photos from the 2012 Cleveland Conference. To see a photo larger, please click on the photo.
Also, professionally photographed images are available from Mark Franks, here: Pollack Studio.
2012 Cleveland Conference Update
Our conference was a great success, with over 400 survivors and families, including 2G’s and 3G’s. We had many inspirational speakers, meaningful workshops, and engaging panels. Please keep looking at our website for updates. More photos to come. To see larger photos, please click on the thumbnail pictures.
Our conference was a great success, with over 400 survivors and families, including 2G’s and 3G’s.
We had many inspirational speakers, meaningful workshops, and engaging panels.
Please keep looking at our website for updates. More photos to come. To see larger photos, please click on the thumbnail pictures.
2012 Cleveland, Dr. Robert Krell
Our good friend, Dr. Robert Krell spoke to us once again, and inspired us with his insights about our common past. To view his speech, followed by a brief biography, please click on the following link: Robert Krell speech Cleveland 2012
Our good friend, Dr. Robert Krell spoke to us once again, and inspired us with his insights about our common past. To view his speech, followed by a brief biography, please click on the following link:
2011, Warsaw, Poland, Conference on Polish Television
Polish public television TVP SA produced this documentary about the Warsaw 2011 conference. Click on the video below to watch. Polish and English with some Polish subtitles. Children Of The Holocaust (Polish TV) Warsaw 2011 from WFJHS&D on Vimeo. Polish TV documentary about the 2011 Warsaw meeting of the World Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors…
Polish public television TVP SA produced this documentary about the Warsaw 2011 conference. Click on the video below to watch. Polish and English with some Polish subtitles.
Children Of The Holocaust (Polish TV) Warsaw 2011 from WFJHS&D on Vimeo.
Polish TV documentary about the 2011 Warsaw meeting of the World Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors & Descendants.
2011 Warsaw, Opening Program: Video
Click on the “play” button below to watch the video. You can set it to full screen using the four arrow button the lower right. Warsaw 2011 WFJHS&D Conference Opening Program from WFJHS&D on Vimeo. Warsaw 2011 WFJHS&D Conference Opening Program, Friday Aut 19 2011.
Click on the "play" button below to watch the video. You can set it to full screen using the four arrow button the lower right.
Warsaw 2011 WFJHS&D Conference Opening Program from WFJHS&D on Vimeo.
Warsaw 2011 WFJHS&D Conference Opening Program, Friday Aut 19 2011.
Warsaw 2011 Conference
On August 29th, the World Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors & Descendants met in Warsaw Poland for an historic… Speeches Professor Adam Rotfeld gave a speech about forgiveness and reconciliation. To read the speech, click here: Professor Adam Rotfeld’s Speech “Memory of Nations. About the Right to Forgive and Reconciliation” Videos Opening night ceremony video
On August 29th, the World Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors & Descendants met in Warsaw Poland for an historic...
Speeches
Professor Adam Rotfeld gave a speech about forgiveness and reconciliation.To read the speech, click here: Professor Adam Rotfeld's Speech "Memory of Nations. About the Right to Forgive and Reconciliation"
Videos
Opening night ceremony video: click here to go to video
Polish TV Documentary: click here to watch video
Photographs
Please click here to view the Warsaw 2011 conference photo album: Warsaw 2011 Photo Presentation
Excellent quality photo gallery from Andrzej Chomczyk (click to visit):
Righteous Poles
From Stefanie Seltzer, President WFJCSHD:
One of the most moving events of our conference was the ceremony honoring the Righteous Among the Nations who had not yet been honored by Yad Vashem. This event was organized by the Israeli Embassy, to be celebrated at our conference. Seven Righteous were honored on the last day of our conference. The opening speech was by the Israeli Ambassador to Poland, but there was also the American Ambassador, as well as consuls of other countries, best known to us the Polish Consul to New York. It was very emotional for all of us, and particularly so for me, as one of the Righteous was from Radomsko, where my family had had a glass business and where I had been in the ghetto. I was excited to meet Sir Martin Gilbert; his family had also come from Radomsko and exchanged information about some people we both know. The lady mayor of Radomsko was also there, and I was stunned to learn that both she and the son of the Righteous knew the exact address of my family's business.It was also a very special event for Ida Paluch-Kersz and her brother Adam, as her rescuer was one of the honorees.
Click here to read more about the ceremony, and to read the program booklet: Rightous Among The Nations Award Ceremony
Click on the photo to see a Picasa photo album from the event.
Comments
Mishpocha
What an incredible conference in Warsaw. The 23rd International Conference of the World Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors & Descendants was a powerful statement by the many who attended. Stefanie Seltzer, Rene Lichtman, Stephen Adler and the many others who worked so hard to make this a meaningful time deserve much credit.
As a non-survivor, but one who has been teaching Holocaust Education for many years, being a part of this conference was a once in a life-time experience.I was able to be on a panel with a dedicated group of educators and meet so many with inspiring stories.
My old friend, Rabbi Michael Schudrich, was a thrilling part of the conference. Elzbieta Ficowska and Renata Zajdman brought joy to my attendance, as we shared about the life of Irena Sendler, and my student’s project.
This conference was historic in every way, but more than historic, it made a statement about Tikkun Olam. Each dignitary who attended underscored the importance of this event. The final day was so inspiring and meaningful. I cherished my new friends from the conference and loved seeing my old friends. Thanks to the World Federation for your many hours of preparation and devotion to changing the world.
Norm Conard
Documents
2010 Chicago/Skokie, Illinois
22nd Annual International Conference of Child Survivors and Families, 2G & 3G Skokie, Chicago, Illinois, USA November 4-7, 2010 Speech by Professor Peter Hayes, “Teaching the Holocaust in 21st Century”. Listen now: You can download the file here: Peter Hayes Lecture: Teaching The Holocaust. Speech and singing by Cantor Alberto Mizrahi, “A Living Traditon: Music of…
22nd Annual International Conference of Child Survivors and Families, 2G & 3G
Skokie, Chicago, Illinois, USA
November 4-7, 2010
Speech by Professor Peter Hayes, “Teaching the Holocaust in 21st Century”. Listen now:
You can download the file here: Peter Hayes Lecture: Teaching The Holocaust.
Speech and singing by Cantor Alberto Mizrahi, “A Living Traditon: Music of the Jews Throughout the World”. Listen now:
You can download the file here: Cantor Mizrahi Concert.
Photos from the Conference
2009 Boston, MA. Conference
21st Annual International Conference: Generation To Generation… L’Dor V’Dor Speech of Rabbi Moshe Waldoks. Listen here: Click here to download the file. Jewish Rescuers Panel Presentation – George Mandel-Mantello, Presented by Judith Cohen, USHMM Jews Rescued Jews Committee Report – Paula Kaufmann and Berrie Asscher Rue Amelot JRJ Award Thank You Poland Jewish Cemeteries Restoration Project Presentation…
21st Annual International Conference: Generation To Generation… L’Dor V’Dor
Speech of Rabbi Moshe Waldoks. Listen here:
Click here to download the file.
Jewish Rescuers Panel Presentation – George Mandel-Mantello, Presented by Judith Cohen, USHMM
Jews Rescued Jews Committee Report – Paula Kaufmann and Berrie Asscher
Conference Photos
The Therapeutic Workshops were partly funded by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc.
