For more information about these events, read our July

Newsletter July 2009
Volume 1 Issue 3
11 Durham Road, Raedene, 2192
Private Bag X6, Sandringham, 2132
Tel: 011 640 3100/011640 2148
Fax: 011 640 7865
[email protected]
Dear Friend of the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre
It is hard to believe that this is
the second year of activity of
the Johannesburg Holocaust
Centre. From our rented
offices in Raedene, our small
yet dedicated team devotes
itself to education workshops
as well as events, exhibitions
and other activities.
In an exciting new development,
the Johannesburg Holocaust
Centre delayed the start of its
building process, as a new,
central and most appropriate
site was offered to us by the City
of Johannesburg. Please stay
tuned for the public
announcement coming up
shortly!
We hope you will be able to join
us for the many public events
taking place this year. The
exhibition, Anne Frank –
A History for Today, is open to
the public at the Women’s Jail,
Constitution Hill until the end of
July. Thereafter it will travel to
schools in the Greater
Johannesburg area for the rest
of the year.
On the 9th August,
world-renowned Holocaust
historian, Professor Deborah
Dwork of Clark University will
be our Centre’s guest speaker
at Limmud Johannesburg to be
held at Wits Medical School.
The Johannesburg Holocaust
Centre continues to work
together with the Cape Town
and Durban Holocaust Centres,
under the umbrella of the South
African Holocaust Foundation
(SAHF), in continuing to
support the National
Curriculum through Educators’
training and other educational
activities.
Tali Nates, Director
RECENT EVENTS
27 January marks the United Nations International Day of Commemoration
in honour of victims of the Holocaust. On this date in 1945, Auschwitz was
liberated.
To honour this date the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre (JHC) partnered on events
and lectures in both Johannesburg and Pretoria. An exhibition entitled, Lost
Voices: children’s drawings from the camps - Darfur 2007, South Africa 2008,
opened at the Rabbi Cyril Harris Community Centre (RCHCC) on 27 January.
The exhibition featured photographs,
drawings and displays from Aegis Trust,
Lefika La Phodiso (formerly known as the Art
Therapy Centre) and Waging Peace (UK).
New York based Leora Kahn, renowned film maker and human rights activist, showed
photographs from a book she produced together with Mark Seliger called: When they
came to take my father : voices from the Holocaust.
Tali Nates and Leora Kahn together with
Masimba Tafirenyika who read an official
message from UN Secretary-General,
Ban Ki-moon at the commemoration events.
Evelyn and Shlomo Pieprz. Shlomo,
a Holocaust survivor of Auschwitz,
shared his testimony with the audience.
Other events complementing the exhibition at the RCHCC:
• A screening of the award winning documentary, Rene and I, co-produced by Leora
Kahn, tells the story of twins who were experimented upon by Joseph Mengele. For more
information on this documentary go to:
“http://www.brandeis.edu/jewishfilm/Catalogue/films/reneandi.htm”
• Dr Berit Reisel, from Oslo, Norway, guest of the JHC, spoke at RCHCC on
Scandinavia and the Holocaust – the four Nordic States and their reaction
to the Nazi persecution of the Jews.
1 February - a second commemoration event was held at UNISA, Pretoria.
Dr Anthony Court, senior researcher for UNISA Primedia Holocaust and Genocide Studies,
hosted the evening, in partnership with the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre and the United
Nations Information Centre (UNIC).The capacity audience was well represented by members
of the Diplomatic corps. Tali Nates spoke about the liberation of Auschwitz and screened the
documentary Hana’s Suitcase.
Guest of honour Mrs Ella Blumenthal,
a survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau, pictured
together with Tali Nates and Sudeshan Reddy
of the UNIC. Ella received a standing ovation
from the capacity audience, for her moving
testimony and inspirational message of hope.
“Tonight has been an emotional roller-coaster. We have seen and heard about the
darkness of human suffering and yet out of that darkness arise stories and messages
of inspiration and hope for a better future.”
Elayne Ossip, the event organizer, in her vote of thanks.
21 March Human Rights’
Day. A virtual candle was sent
by email to celebrate the
attainment of Human Rights’
for all South Africans.
1 April –1st Anniversary of the Durban
Holocaust Centre
The Durban Holocaust Centre marked its first
anniversary with a screening of Blessed is the
Match- the life and death of Hannah Senesh,
on 1st April. This award winning movie tells the true
story of Hannah Senesh, who whilst living safely in
Palestine in 1944, chose to join a mission to rescue
Jews in her native Hungary. She was captured,
tortured and ultimately executed by the Nazis, at the
age of 23.
Guest speaker, Tali Nates, spoke about courage and
resistance during the Nazi regime.
Our congratulations and best wishes go to Mary Kluk
(Director, Durban Holocaust Centre), Maureen
Caminsky (Project Manager, Durban Holocaust
Centre) and their supportive volunteers for the
continued success of their Centre.
In a partnership event with the RCHCC in
Johannesburg, Blessed is the Match was screened
on 19 April to commemorate 66 years since the
start of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.
Yom Hashoah V’ Hagvurah (Holocaust Martyrs’
and Heroes’ Remembrance Day)
The central theme for this year’s Yom Hashoah
commemoration was ’Children of the Holocaust’.
21 April Yom Hashoah – Johannesburg, the keynote speaker
at West Park Cemetery was Hannah Pick-Goslar, a childhood
friend of Anne Frank. In Anne Frank’s diary she is referred to
as Hanneli or Lies.
We were most fortunate to have Hannah spend time with us
and record her testimony for broadcast on Radio Today as
well as a video clip for the opening of the Anne Frank
exhibition on 4 June.
Tali Nates was the keynote speaker at the Yom Hashoah
commemorations in Pretoria (19th) and in Cape Town (21st).
Hannah Pick- Goslar
signing a copy of Anne
Frank’s Diary.
“On this day of remembrance for the victims, and honour for those who
survived - we should also vow to learn the lessons from the worst man-made
disaster in human memory.”
Tali Nates
Anne Frank Exhibition and events
12 June 2009 marked the 80th anniversary of the birth of Anne Frank, a universal symbol for
the suffering and death of young victims of the Holocaust. On 4 June, the world-premiere of
the Anne Frank – a history for today exhibition (2009 version) took place in Johannesburg
at the Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill, Braamfontein.
The exhibition, which has been extended by popular demand until 31 July 2009, is hosted by
The Constitution Hill Trust, the Johannesburg Holocaust Centre and the Anne Frank House. Similar exhibitions open in 25 centres worldwide during June 2009.
The exhibition was opened by Hans Westra, Executive
Director - Anne Frank House, Amsterdam pictured
2nd from the left, with Tali Nates, Chief Rabbi Warren
Goldstein and guest speaker Ahmed Kathrada.
Keynote speaker at the opening was Ferial Haffajee,
former editor of the Mail and Guardian, now
editor-in-chief, City Press.
Myra Osrin (Trustee of the SAHF and Committee
Member, JHC), with Joyce Seroke (Trustee,
Constitution Hill Trust and former chair of the
Commission on Gender Equality)
Seen at the exhibition, Naomi Dinur,
Israeli Ambassador, Dov Segev-Steinberg and
Carol-lesley Brown, Forest Town School - Nelson
Mandela’s Childrens’ Fund.
Lauren Segal with daughter Katya and her
friend Grace, engrossed in the Diary of Anne Frank.
(L-R) Shoshi Shachar, Miri Doron, Kim
Nates and Kareen Matushek, admiring the
scaled- model of the Frank family’s hiding
place. The model was created by inmates
of HMP Wakefield, one of Britain’s highest
security prisons, who were inspired by the
story of Anne Frank and the tragic events
of the Holocaust. The model was officially
handed over to Tali Nates, at a moving
ceremony in Amsterdam.
Says Steve Gadd, Prison Exhibition Manager
for the Anne Frank Trust: “...... it is our way of
paying our respects, in commemoration of Anne,
her family and the tragedy of their lives......we
would like this presentation to be a celebration
of Anne’s life, and the inspiration that she has
been to millions of people all around the world.
Her values and her aspirations live on – That all
people should live together in peace and mutual
respect.”
Other events around the exhibition
• The first Johannesburg screening of the
highly acclaimed 2009 BBC adaptation of
The diary of Anne Frank was shown at
Constitution Hill on 11 June.
• A public lecture entitled , Champion of the
Child - Janusz Korczak by Dr Avi Tsur with
Itzchak Belfer , was held alongside the Anne
Frank exhibition at Constitution Hill on 14 June.
Champion of the Child is the inspiring story of
Janusz Korczak (1879-1942), the PolishJewish doctor, writer and educator and one of
the world’s first advocates of children’s rights,
who devoted his life to the needs and plight of
children, regardless of nationality or religion.
The traveling exhibition is used as the
foundation for educational work, capturing
the experience of Anne’s life as a young girl in
hiding, during the German occupation of the
Netherlands during the Second World War.
Young guides received special training to
ensure that learners maximise their
experience of the exhibition.
2nd Innings commemorated the 80th
anniversary of Anne Frank’s birth by
showing the ABC mini-series, The Diary
of Anne Frank. Selwyn Klass and
Grecia Gabriel hosted an inspiring
morning that was enjoyed by the
capacity crowd.Tali Nates spoke about
The selfless role played by those who
hid the Frank family.
Guest speaker, Dr Avi Tsur is a leading authority
on the life and works of Janusz Korczak.
Itzchak Belfer, a Holocaust survivor and
renowned artist, was born in Poland in 1923 and
raised in Korczak’s Warsaw Jewish Orphanage.
Avi Tsur, Tali Nates, Itzchak Belfer, Irene Klass,
a Holocaust Survivor from Poland and Errol
Rosenberg.
15th Commemoration of the Rwandan genocide
800 000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were massacred over a period of 100 days,
in 1994. SURF (Survivors Fund, UK) initiated a world-wide reading of testimonies
of survivors of the Rwandan genocide in order to raise awareness and to try and
ensure that these stories are heard and “that the genocide and its victims are never
forgotten”.
On the 7 April, in a moving 4-hour reading
of testimonies at the Mary Fitzgerald Square,
Newtown, Johannesburg, some 90 survivor
testimonies were read. The event was
organized by the Johannesburg Holocaust
Centre together with the Rwandan Students
Survivors of Genocide, South Africa
(RSSG-SA) and South African Union of
Jewish Students (SAUJS).
The Rwandan Ambassador, Mr Eugene
Munyakayanza, was amongst the
participants in the Square, as were
Rwandan survivors, scholars, students,
members of NGO’s and the general public.
Holocaust survivors, Cecelia Boruchowitz,
Anna Almelach, Veronica Phillips and Don
Krausz joined in the reading of testimonies.
Learners from St Stithians Girls’ College
embark on an artistic form of
commemoration by expressing their
thoughts and feelings with chalk drawings
on the square.
The RSSG-SA hosted a lunch and
made presentations to the JHC
and SAUJS in appreciation of
their support.
Education
Educator workshops
Arising out of the successful workshops, as part of the three-year partnership between the
South African Holocaust Foundation, the Gauteng Department of Education and the Apartheid
Museum, the JHC has been invited to present educator workshops in various educational
Districts in Gauteng. Each workshop shares content and methodologies about the Holocaust
and the Rwandan Genocide. Workshops are generously funded by the Claims Conference.
Tali Nates , Charlotte Modzuka, Social Sciences Education Specialist, and Jaliel Mookadam,
Gauteng Provincial Coordinator for Social Sciences and educators at the Educators’ workshop
in Bronkhorstspruit.
“……..You have really empowered Gauteng North Social Sciences teachers….The activities
done during the workshop made their lesson preparation very easy.
The Holocaust experience influenced and changed the way the participants perceived life
before. They realized the cruelty and the suffering that was inflicted on innocent souls for
their religious belief by intellectuals, for that matter. It was quite a learning curve, imagining
how people were ill-treated and how they were killed; this was an eye opener for many.
I appreciate everything that you have done for Gauteng North District, the commitment
and the enthusiasm that you depicted during the whole process…….”
Charlotte Modzuka Social Sciences Education Specialist, Gauteng North District.
School talks
The JHC is regularly requested to address learners. Some schools visited recently were,
St Stithians Girls’ College, Redhill School, Eden College and Rand School.
If you would like to organize a talk kindly contact Thuli on (011) 640 3100.
International Conferences
• Mary Kluk (Dbn), Tracey Petersen (CT) and Tali Nates (Jhb) represented the South African
Holocaust Foundation at the Anne Frank House – experts’ seminar in Amsterdam, in April,
• Tali Nates was invited to present a paper at the UNESCO conference, Combating
intolerance, exclusion and violence through Holocaust Education – focusing on Africa,
in Paris, from 27th-29th May. Her paper, entitled Teaching about the Holocaust in postApartheid South Africa: Issues and Challenges was received with great interest.
Forthcoming events
• Rwanda Study Tour 26 June to 9 July 2009
The JHC was requested to plan a study tour for students from Monash University (Melbourne,
Australia and Johannesburg campuses). The group will spend a week in Johannesburg and then
a week in Rwanda. The focus of study will be on post conflict societies. The group (23 students
and 6 lecturers) will be based at Solace Ministries in Kigali from the 2nd-8th July 2009. The
group will be led by Tali Nates ( Director, Johannesburg Holocaust Centre), Prof Mark Baker,
Director, Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, Monash University, Melbourne) and Prof
Simon Adams (Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (International), Monash University, South Africa.
• Friendship Forum
Friendship Forum meetings will be held in the Gerald Horwitz Lounge, Golden Acres at 14:30 on: Sunday 2nd August - Cliff Matthews will present Unsung Heroes of the
Holocaust- stories of Non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the
Holocaust, and
Sunday 13 September: Remembrance & Reunion -The Story of Yad Vashem. • Limmud Johannesburg – 9/10 August
Holocaust related lectures are included in the Limmud programme, to name a few,
Mark Weitzman from the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in LA will be amongst the speakers.
We are also honoured to have Deborah Dwork , a leading international Holocaust scholar,
from Clark University in the US, visit South Africa as a guest of the SAHF.
For more information and to register for Limmud go to www.limmud.org.za
General information
• Bar/Batmitzvah Twinning Project
Jesse Weisz celebrated her batmitzvah and ‘twinned’
with Hungarian Holocaust victim, Khava Weisz who died
in Auschwitz in 1944 at the age of eleven.
Jesse is one of many young people who have chosen to
mark their special milestone by recognizing and giving
honour to one of the 1,5 million children who did not have
the chance to reach adulthood during the Holocaust.
Jesse’s mom Lynn wrote, “This has been a very
meaningful exercise. It has started Jesse on a journey
to learn more.”
Jesse Weisz lit one of her batmitzvah
If you would like to participate in this project please
candles in honour of Khava Weisz.
contact (011) 640-3100.
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• Gift Certificates
Are you commemorating or honouring a special event?
Whatever the event; a birth, a birthday, a bar/batmitzvah,
special family celebrations and commemorations - we
have beautiful certificates that not only honour the person
and event, but contribute to further the important work of
Holocaust and human rights education. To arrange your gift
certificate please contact: Thuli on (011) 640-3100 or email
[email protected]
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