We had the pleasure to co-host together with the Jewish Community of Cyprus in partnership and the Jewish Museum of Cyprus a holocaust memorial event last night in Larnaca.
Mrs Sheindel Raskin a direct descendant of holocaust survivors shared her family story of how her grandmother and grandfather survived the Auschwitz concentration camp and went on to marry and have over 200 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dignitaries joined the Chief Rabbi of Cyprus, Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin, in lighting a memorial candle in honour of the six million Jews murdered during the holocaust.
The deputy Mayor of Larnaca, Mr. Iason Iasonides gave a moving speech, on behalf of the Mayor and municipal council of Larnaca. “Tonight is the night to play for those who lost their lives for a better world. Over 17 million people died at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust. We must never forget”.
Rabbi Moshe Friedman of the Jewish Museum of Cyprus spoke about the importance of never forgetting what happened in 1945. “The memory of these events must never be forgotten, and just as we stand here today in unity, our children and grandchildren will do the same in the future.”
Events commemorating the holocaust were held across the Island, with movie screenings, discussions and candle lighting in memoriam to the victims.
The President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, also attended a world forum in Israel to commemorate 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. Upon his visit President Anastasiades received an Honorary Doctorate from IDC Herzliya University of Israel.
Unity between Israel and Cyprus has a long history. Something that the Jewish community of Cyprus prides itself on promoting over the last 20 years of service to the nation.
The Jewish Museum of Cyprus (JMC) noted “We owe a great thanks to the noble Cypriot men and women who had extended their hands in kindness to the Jewish refugees, rescued from the flames of the Holocaust and who stayed at the British DP Camps between 1946 – 1949 at their last stop on their journey to their homeland of Israel, a kindness that will never be forgotten.