Archive
We hope you enjoy looking back at past events that HCNZ has held over the years, and we look forward to you attending our events in the future.
2022
Yom HaShoah 2022 - Holocaust Memorial Day
Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG'vurah ("Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day")
Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG'vurah ("Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day")
On Yom HaShoah, 27 April 2022, the New Zealand Jewish community and distinguished guests gathered in collective grief and remembrance.
At the Public Trust Hall in Wellington the theme of this commemoration of the Holocaust was "Lost Communities". We heard the voices of North African, Greek and Italian Jews, whose voices and culture were almost eradicated by the Nazis and their collaborators.
Six memorial candles for the approximately six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust were lit by Daniel Rosenbaum and Jeremy Smith (Chairs of both Wellington Jewish congregations), George Neonakis and Miriam Bookman (Honorary Consul of Greece, and Deputy Chair of HCNZ), Malka Benita and Afnan Al-Rubayee (representing North African Jews, and the Kilbirnie Mosque), Marco Sonzogni and Assoc Prof. Giacomo Lichtner (representing Italians and Italian Jews), Steven Sedley MNZM and Eileen Silestean (Holocaust survivors), and HE Ran Yaakoby and Dr Michael Feiner (Embassies of the State of Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany).
Extracts of personal testimonies, written by victims of the Holocaust, were read, and prayers recited. Attendees also heard Unter Dayne Vayse Shtern (Under Your White Stars) sung beautifully, acapella, in Yiddish, by Matilda Wickbom - a poem written in the Vilna Ghetto by Avrom Sutzkever.
Holocaust Centre of New Zealand CEO Gillian Wess was a guest speaker at the Auckland Yom HaShoah commemoration, held by the Zionist Federation of New Zealand The theme was Liberation. Wess spoke about the double-edged nature of liberation: for survivors, the scars of the Shoah and the loss of entire families remain.
It was heartening to see so many people from many walks of life come together in collective memory at these special commemorations in remembrance and honour of Holocaust victims and survivors.
We carry the mantle for those whose names and voices shall not be left to the annals of history.
As stated in both venues, it is everyone's responsibility to witness, remember, educate, and act.
Credit: Photography by Woolf
At the Public Trust Hall in Wellington the theme of this commemoration of the Holocaust was "Lost Communities". We heard the voices of North African, Greek and Italian Jews, whose voices and culture were almost eradicated by the Nazis and their collaborators.
Six memorial candles for the approximately six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust were lit by Daniel Rosenbaum and Jeremy Smith (Chairs of both Wellington Jewish congregations), George Neonakis and Miriam Bookman (Honorary Consul of Greece, and Deputy Chair of HCNZ), Malka Benita and Afnan Al-Rubayee (representing North African Jews, and the Kilbirnie Mosque), Marco Sonzogni and Assoc Prof. Giacomo Lichtner (representing Italians and Italian Jews), Steven Sedley MNZM and Eileen Silestean (Holocaust survivors), and HE Ran Yaakoby and Dr Michael Feiner (Embassies of the State of Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany).
Extracts of personal testimonies, written by victims of the Holocaust, were read, and prayers recited. Attendees also heard Unter Dayne Vayse Shtern (Under Your White Stars) sung beautifully, acapella, in Yiddish, by Matilda Wickbom - a poem written in the Vilna Ghetto by Avrom Sutzkever.
Holocaust Centre of New Zealand CEO Gillian Wess was a guest speaker at the Auckland Yom HaShoah commemoration, held by the Zionist Federation of New Zealand The theme was Liberation. Wess spoke about the double-edged nature of liberation: for survivors, the scars of the Shoah and the loss of entire families remain.
It was heartening to see so many people from many walks of life come together in collective memory at these special commemorations in remembrance and honour of Holocaust victims and survivors.
We carry the mantle for those whose names and voices shall not be left to the annals of history.
As stated in both venues, it is everyone's responsibility to witness, remember, educate, and act.
Credit: Photography by Woolf
2022
UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Thursday 27 January 2022 - Aotearoa NZ Remembers
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On 27 January, across Aotearoa New Zealand, the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand (HCNZ) held commemorations for the United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day (UNIHRD) in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, Nelson, and Christchurch. This day was delegated by the United Nations in 2005, as the international day for remembering the victims of the Holocaust. It coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp by the Soviet Army in 1945.
The theme for this year’s commemorative events was “Resistance”. In all cities we were reminded that resistance comes in many forms and even the smallest actions can make a big difference. Speeches highlighted that the forces of antisemitism, hatred, and discrimination can and do rear their ugly head to strike at the heart of our communities. This can happen at any time, anywhere, and in the most cultured societies. HCNZ and all who took part in the commemorations, recommitted themselves to fighting Holocaust distortion and denial, racism, discrimination, and apathy. AUCKLAND CEREMONY at the AUCKLAND WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Photo credit Luci Harrison Click images to enlargen. |
Click to go to Speeches page to see/hear/read speeches
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HAMILTON CEREMONY at the WAIKATO MUSEUM
Photos: Ifat Vayner
Click images to enlargen.
Photos: Ifat Vayner
Click images to enlargen.
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HAMILTON VIDEO
MAKARA CEREMONY at the MAKARA CEMETERY, WELLINGTON
Photos: Photography by Woolf
Click images to enlargen.
Photos: Photography by Woolf
Click images to enlargen.
PARLIAMENT RECEPTION, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, WELLINGTON
Host: Hon Grant Robertson, Deputy Prime Minister
Photos: Photography by Woolf
Click to enlargen.
Host: Hon Grant Robertson, Deputy Prime Minister
Photos: Photography by Woolf
Click to enlargen.
PARLIAMENT RECEPTION FULL VIDEO HERE PARTISANS' SONG in Yiddish and te reo Māori - A WORLD PREMIERE
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NELSON CEREMONY, NELSON YACHT CLUB
CHRISTCHURCH CEREMONY at the NZ WORLD PEACE BELL, BOTANIC GARDENS
Commemorations in Aotearoa New Zealand were made possible thanks to the following partners
and Canterbury Education Services, and Council of Jewish Women
2021
Yom HaShoah, Thursday 8th April 2021
The Wellington Jewish community, members of the interfaith community, members of the diplomatic corp, local council and members of parliament came together to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Shoah at a very moving event in the Myers Hall. Thank you to all participants and guests for making this meaningful event very special.
#WeRemember
The Wellington Jewish community, members of the interfaith community, members of the diplomatic corp, local council and members of parliament came together to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Shoah at a very moving event in the Myers Hall. Thank you to all participants and guests for making this meaningful event very special.
#WeRemember
2021
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United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Wednesday 27 January 2021
New Zealand Remembers January 27, 2021 marked the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In Aotearoa New Zealand , one of few countries in a Covid-ravaged world still able to have large gatherings, hundreds came together across the country to remember the 6 million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust, and the many millions of other innocent victims killed by the Nazi war machine, as well as to honour the survivors who made their way to New Zealand and contributed to the fabric of our society - the theme for this year’s UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorations in New Zealand being “We are still here”. In attendance were Holocaust survivors and their descendants, the Governor-General the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, Deputy Prime Minister Hon Grant Robertson, Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, Robyn Baker Chair of the NZ National Commission for UNESCO, leaders, and members of the Jewish and interfaith communities, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Members of Parliament, and ex MPs, Mayors and City councillors. |
Event cover image: Group portrait at Feldafing Displaced Persons Camp, 1951 (Source: USHMM)
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Read speeches below
2021
AGM 2021
The Holocaust Centre of New Zealand’s AGM 2021 was held online via Zoom on Sunday September 12th, and we ended up with one of the larger turn outs we've had for an AGM.
Thank you to all who came online to join in. Your presence and participation was warmly welcomed. We appreciate your interest in our activities and support for the Centre. Special thanks to donors, members, Holocaust survivors and descendants, volunteers, and staff.
Chair Deb Hart facilitated the AGM. Business included adopting the minutes of 2020, the annual report of 2021, and the financial report, as reviewed by Treasurer Jeremy Smith. After this, we thanked and farewelled both a board member and our CEO. Board member Giacomo Lichtner has given 5+ years of service to the Holocaust Centre and, fortunately for us, while he steps down from the board he will continue in an advisory capacity. We thanked him for his many contributions, and we look forward to calling on him in the future. Giacomo was ‘virtually’ presented with a gift. Giacomo was also our guest speaker and the meeting was followed by his educational, thought-provoking presentation on Holocaust memory and commemoration.
CEO, Chris Harris, was farewelled with speeches from Chair Deb Hart, Deputy Chair Miriam Bookman, and Treasurer Jeremy Smith. They thanked him for his passion and his countless hours of work over the years, bringing Holocaust education and awareness to the students and people of Aotearoa New Zealand. A special photo book was shared on screen.
This year we conferred four Honorary Life Memberships upon some incredibly worthy and humble people: Claire Bruell, Carol Calkoen, Robert (Bob) Narev, and David Zwartz. Citations can be read on the MEMBERSHIP page.
Thank you to all who came online to join in. Your presence and participation was warmly welcomed. We appreciate your interest in our activities and support for the Centre. Special thanks to donors, members, Holocaust survivors and descendants, volunteers, and staff.
Chair Deb Hart facilitated the AGM. Business included adopting the minutes of 2020, the annual report of 2021, and the financial report, as reviewed by Treasurer Jeremy Smith. After this, we thanked and farewelled both a board member and our CEO. Board member Giacomo Lichtner has given 5+ years of service to the Holocaust Centre and, fortunately for us, while he steps down from the board he will continue in an advisory capacity. We thanked him for his many contributions, and we look forward to calling on him in the future. Giacomo was ‘virtually’ presented with a gift. Giacomo was also our guest speaker and the meeting was followed by his educational, thought-provoking presentation on Holocaust memory and commemoration.
CEO, Chris Harris, was farewelled with speeches from Chair Deb Hart, Deputy Chair Miriam Bookman, and Treasurer Jeremy Smith. They thanked him for his passion and his countless hours of work over the years, bringing Holocaust education and awareness to the students and people of Aotearoa New Zealand. A special photo book was shared on screen.
This year we conferred four Honorary Life Memberships upon some incredibly worthy and humble people: Claire Bruell, Carol Calkoen, Robert (Bob) Narev, and David Zwartz. Citations can be read on the MEMBERSHIP page.
2020
AGM 2020
Our AGM on Sunday 6 September was a very special event. We thank all who attended, in-person & via Zoom - especially those who took the time to come on Father's Day.
Board Members stepping down this year include Justin Thompson, Marlene Levine and Penelope Thompson:
Marlene Levine has given long service to the Board, and we have always been grateful for her input, and the fact that she will continue as a volunteer. Having been a Board Member since 2017, Justin Thompson has also resigned but will continue to assist with education. Penelope Thompson also leaves the Board this year, after reinvigorating our comms and media approaches. Our very grateful thanks to Justin, Marlene and Penny. Board Members staying on the Board are Deb Hart (Chair), Miriam Bookman (Deputy Chair), Jeremy Smith (Treasurer), Giacomo Lichtner and Rivkah Nathan.
New Members joining the Board are Diana Wichtel, Helene Ritchie and Marcus Blomquist. We welcome them and look forward to their contributions to HCNZ.
Board Members stepping down this year include Justin Thompson, Marlene Levine and Penelope Thompson:
Marlene Levine has given long service to the Board, and we have always been grateful for her input, and the fact that she will continue as a volunteer. Having been a Board Member since 2017, Justin Thompson has also resigned but will continue to assist with education. Penelope Thompson also leaves the Board this year, after reinvigorating our comms and media approaches. Our very grateful thanks to Justin, Marlene and Penny. Board Members staying on the Board are Deb Hart (Chair), Miriam Bookman (Deputy Chair), Jeremy Smith (Treasurer), Giacomo Lichtner and Rivkah Nathan.
New Members joining the Board are Diana Wichtel, Helene Ritchie and Marcus Blomquist. We welcome them and look forward to their contributions to HCNZ.
Inaugural Honorary Life Memberships were conferred on Steven Sedley MNZM, Inge Woolf QSO, Boyd Klap CNZM QSO, and Ken Gorbey CNZM.
HCNZ is indebted to each of these amazing role models, for their dedication and commitment, transforming ideas into realities, and advocating for Holocaust education and remembrance in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Citations can be read on the Membership page.
Pictured L to R: Boyd Klap, Ken Gorbey, Inge Woolf, Miriam Bookman (Deputy Chair), Steven Sedley
Credit: Woolf Photography
HCNZ is indebted to each of these amazing role models, for their dedication and commitment, transforming ideas into realities, and advocating for Holocaust education and remembrance in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Citations can be read on the Membership page.
Pictured L to R: Boyd Klap, Ken Gorbey, Inge Woolf, Miriam Bookman (Deputy Chair), Steven Sedley
Credit: Woolf Photography
2020
November 9, 2020 - Kristallnacht Commemorative Concert
Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) was remembered in Aotearoa New Zealand, with our annual concert, in partnership with Te Kōki, the New Zealand School of Music - Victoria University of Wellington, Public Trust Hall, and the Adam Foundation.
The concert was held in the elegant Public Trust Hall with thanks to Maurice & Kaye Clark.
The programme featured classical and jazz music, with film scores by leading Jewish European composers who escaped the Holocaust, performed by acclaimed New Zealand musicians. From resilience to reinvention in Hollywood, these composers wrote music for some of the greatest blockbusters and influenced film music forever.
We thank the internationally renowned and award-winning musicians for giving of their time, talents and passion to bring stunning music to life, in memory of a time of darkness, and the audience and viewers at home for taking time to remember and honour the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
Featured composers:
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Franz Waxman, Mieczysław Weinberg, Ernst Toch, and Miklós Rózsa
Performers:
Inbal Megiddo, Jian Liu, Jenny Wollerman, Martin Riseley, New Zealand String Quartet (Helene Pohl, Monique Lapins, Gillian Ansell and Rolf Gjelsten), Yury Gezentsvey, David Barnard, Dave Wilson, Callum Allardice, Phoebe Johnson and Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa
The concert was held in the elegant Public Trust Hall with thanks to Maurice & Kaye Clark.
The programme featured classical and jazz music, with film scores by leading Jewish European composers who escaped the Holocaust, performed by acclaimed New Zealand musicians. From resilience to reinvention in Hollywood, these composers wrote music for some of the greatest blockbusters and influenced film music forever.
We thank the internationally renowned and award-winning musicians for giving of their time, talents and passion to bring stunning music to life, in memory of a time of darkness, and the audience and viewers at home for taking time to remember and honour the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
Featured composers:
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Franz Waxman, Mieczysław Weinberg, Ernst Toch, and Miklós Rózsa
Performers:
Inbal Megiddo, Jian Liu, Jenny Wollerman, Martin Riseley, New Zealand String Quartet (Helene Pohl, Monique Lapins, Gillian Ansell and Rolf Gjelsten), Yury Gezentsvey, David Barnard, Dave Wilson, Callum Allardice, Phoebe Johnson and Hikurangi Schaverien-Kaa
2020
United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Monday 27th January 2020
Remembering for the Future
Monday 27th January, commemorations in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, saw Holocaust survivors, their descendants, politicians, members of the diplomatic corps, and hundreds of Jews and non-Jews turn out in the heat, wind and rain to take the time to reflect and remember the 6 million Jewish lives that were murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of other victims of the Nazi Third Reich. 27 January 2020 marked not only the annual United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day but also the seventy-fifth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Red Army...
2019
Kristallnacht Unity Concert Nov 10, 2019
November 10th 2019
Kristallnacht Commemorative Concert - A concert of unity
This year’s Kristallnacht commemoration concert on 10 November brought us more of the annual event’s distinctive quality – works associated with the Holocaust performed by leading New Zealand musicians. The concert’s impact was enhanced by taking place in Wellington’s Beth El Synagogue.
Distinguished guests included members of the diplomatic corps among whom were the ambassadors of Germany, Israel, Poland, the Netherlands and Hungary, and Deputy Chief of Mission for Italy and the United States of America.
As well as remembering the violent Nazi pogrom against the German and Austrian Jews on 9-10 November 1938, the concert – presented jointly by the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand (HCNZ) Te Pūtahi Urupatu o Aotearoa and the New Zealand School of Music Te Kōki, Victoria University of Wellington – was also a Unity Concert in memory of the 15 March 2019 massacre at the Christchurch Mosques.
Kristallnacht Commemorative Concert - A concert of unity
This year’s Kristallnacht commemoration concert on 10 November brought us more of the annual event’s distinctive quality – works associated with the Holocaust performed by leading New Zealand musicians. The concert’s impact was enhanced by taking place in Wellington’s Beth El Synagogue.
Distinguished guests included members of the diplomatic corps among whom were the ambassadors of Germany, Israel, Poland, the Netherlands and Hungary, and Deputy Chief of Mission for Italy and the United States of America.
As well as remembering the violent Nazi pogrom against the German and Austrian Jews on 9-10 November 1938, the concert – presented jointly by the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand (HCNZ) Te Pūtahi Urupatu o Aotearoa and the New Zealand School of Music Te Kōki, Victoria University of Wellington – was also a Unity Concert in memory of the 15 March 2019 massacre at the Christchurch Mosques.
To quote an audience member: “…..a truly wonderful and moving concert... Almost every piece was new to me and so beautifully played and sung, it was a memorable and worthy commemoration of such a hideous event in our history.”
2019 |
Yom HaShoah 2019
Remembering Hungary's Jews on Yom HaShoah
The focus of Wellington’s Yom HaShoah observance on 1 May was the sad fate of Hungarian Jewry 75 years ago, when hundreds of thousands were deported to their death in Auschwitz-Birkenau between May and July 1944.
An audience of about 80, including diplomatic representatives from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and USA, Tim McIndoe MP, and interfaith leaders, heard moving accounts from two survivors of the Nazi German aktion against Hungary’s Jews. Steven Sedley MNZM survived in a safe house within the Budapest Ghetto; being passed off as the child of a Christian nanny saved Mary Mowbray-Erdös.
The point was made, that as well as a day for mourning the deaths of six million, Yom HaShoah is also an occasion for remembering the heroism of the Jews who revolted, against all odds, against Nazi oppression – in the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising, and at Treblinka and Sobibor, and even within Auschwitz.
The other face of heroism referred to during the Yom HaShoah service was that of the Righteous among the Nations. Specific examples in Hungary were given – the Papal Nuncio, Monsignor Rotta; the diplomats Carl Lutz (Switzerland) and Carlos Branquinho (Portugal); and Scottish orphanage matron Jane Haining.
A group of children and members of Habonim and Bnai Akiva, led by Prue Hyman, sang “Eli, Eli” – whose words are written by Hungarian Hannah Szenes – and prayers were recited by Wellington’s two rabbis, Ariel Tal and JoEllen Duckor.
Referring to the recent massacre of Muslims in Christchurch mosques, it was suggested that New Zealand society is now well aware that hatred of a minority group can lead to violent death, in the same way that Nazi hatred of Jews led inexorably to the horrors of the Shoah.
The overriding message, strongly promoted by the Holocaust Centre of NZ in all its activities, is that we can all make the individual choice to be Upstanders, not Bystanders, and help prevent the repeat of racist-based violence.
David Zwartz
(Left) Prue Hyman and Wellington Jewish youth, accompanied by Rabbi Ariel Tal, sing “Eli, Eli” at Wellington’s Yom Hashoah observance. Photo credit: HCNZ
(Centre) (L - R) Ambassador Scott Brown (United States of America), Ambassador Dr Itzhak Gerberg (Embassy of Israel), & Hon Tim Macindoe MP. Photo Credit: Embassy of Israel In NZ
(Right) Budapest Ghetto survivor Steven Sedley MNZM lighting one of the six candles, with Shlomit Tal, at Wellington’s Yom HaShoah observance . Photo credit: HCNZ
(Centre) (L - R) Ambassador Scott Brown (United States of America), Ambassador Dr Itzhak Gerberg (Embassy of Israel), & Hon Tim Macindoe MP. Photo Credit: Embassy of Israel In NZ
(Right) Budapest Ghetto survivor Steven Sedley MNZM lighting one of the six candles, with Shlomit Tal, at Wellington’s Yom HaShoah observance . Photo credit: HCNZ
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Deportation from Kecskemét: Elisheva Zimet Stern and Rita Weiss’
The challenge of commemorating the Shoah is to reflect on a collective tragedy while acknowledging the myriad diverse stories and voices that form its history. This short video testimony edited from Yad Vashem’s collection focuses on the experiences of the Jews of Kec, through the words of Elisheva Zimet Stern and Rita Weiss. The Jews of Kec were subjected to exceptional brutality before being deported to Auschwitz in the Spring 0f 1944. The community, which had numbered 1346 in 1941, counted only 40 in 1970. Rabbi Joseph Schindler, who had marched to the deportation train at the head of his community, was among 150 who returned from Auschwitz, to reprise his office until 1950. |
At Auckland Hebrew Congregation
Image: Holocaust survivor Ruth Filler, her daughter Esther Haver and HCNZ CEO
Chris Harris light candles in memory of the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
Photo credit: Shadows of Shoah, Perry Trotter.
More details and images to be found on Shadows of Shoah website
Image: Holocaust survivor Ruth Filler, her daughter Esther Haver and HCNZ CEO
Chris Harris light candles in memory of the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
Photo credit: Shadows of Shoah, Perry Trotter.
More details and images to be found on Shadows of Shoah website
2019
United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Sunday 27th January 2019
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UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Public
Ceremony in Makara Cemetery, Wellington |
UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day:
Parliament Reception |
2018
Commemorations at the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand in May and June 2018 - A review: Ann Beaglehole
Between 19 April and 16 May 1943, Jews imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto fought against the Nazis in what became known as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. In 1944, the Polish Underground fought for 63 days to liberate Warsaw from Nazi occupation in the Warsaw Uprising. Some of the Jewish fighters from the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising joined the Warsaw Uprising one year later. Both uprisings were commemorated at the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand (HCNZ).
