As a survivor of the Holocaust, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of gratitude and admiration for the work of Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation. The event they organized, with Meryl Streep, Michelle Pfeiffer, Woody Harrelson, and other esteemed individuals, was nothing short of inspiring. Their commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust, combating antisemitism, and educating future generations about the horrors of the past is truly commendable.
30 years ago, Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation was established, and it recently commemorated this milestone with a glamorous event filled with celebrities in New York City.
Besides the renowned filmmaker who set up the Shoah Foundation following his 1994 Oscar-winning film “Schindler’s List,” Meryl Streep, Whoopi Goldberg, Bruce Springsteen, Drew Barrymore, Itzhak Perlman, Debra Messing, Wendell Pierce, and Alex Edelman were among the approximately 700 attendees at the Ambassadors for Humanity Gala held in Midtown Manhattan.
Among the distinguished guests present, it was Edelman, who acted as the host for the event, who made a light-hearted remark. He quipped, “If your rabbi is not here in this gathering, then they are of no value.
As I stepped out of my apartment the morning after Yom Kippur, I couldn’t help but notice the hustle and bustle of the city. The streets were filled with people, each one seemingly on their way to a different destination. And as I walked further, it became clear that this wasn’t just any ordinary day in New York City – it was the most expensive Break-the-Fast event I had ever seen!
A fantastic method for relaxation following a day of abstention and reflection, isn’t it, celebrating the Holocaust? Preceded by the Armenian genocide as an amuse-bouche,” he went on, making light of the situation.
Speaking with solemnity, I found myself present not just as an ordinary fan, but as a grandchild of Holocaust survivors. The work of the Shoah Foundation carries immense significance for me – it’s deeply personal and profoundly important. I was here because Steven Spielberg requested my presence.
Additionally, he won Spielberg’s appreciation by “bringing his mother back” as he recounted an emotional tale about encountering the renowned director’s mom, Leah Adler, at her kosher eatery named The Milky Way. During his teenage years, while working for the Dodgers in Los Angeles, he had this chance meeting.
Frequently, Edelman would stop by the restaurant that he referred to as one of the finest kosher dining establishments globally. He often praised Adler for providing him with delicious meals.
He shared, “I stepped inside only once, sat down, and she glanced at me before disappearing to the back. She returned with a bowl of what seemed to be fish chowder. She placed it in front of me, and I remarked, ‘Miss Adler, I didn’t order soup.’ To which she replied, ‘Today, you require soup.’
Two months later, Adler inquired whether Edelman would like to visit “the area of the restaurant where his son is,” showing him a section adorned with photos of Steven Spielberg.
He chuckled as he remembered saying something along the lines of, “It seems your son is quite enamored with Steven Spielberg.” She then surprised him by casually replying, “Well, my son is actually Steven Spielberg himself.” Still in disbelief, Adler was given evidence to confirm this extraordinary claim.
Edelman stated that she retrieved the Oscar from Schindler’s List and placed it on the counter as if it were a winning hand of cards.
Around 2015 or 2016, the comedian rekindled their friendship with Adler after dropping by the restaurant with his companions.
He said, “I went over to her, and I’m like, ‘Miss Adler, you probably don’t remember me, but I used to come in all of the time as a teenager. You always fed me. You never charged me, and I really appreciated it.’ And she leaned over and said [something], to her nurse, her helper, and the nurse went, ‘She just said, ‘Dodgers.””
Edelman further explained, “Indeed, this foundation has thrived for three decades because it’s fueled by an incredible legacy. He’s a family-oriented individual, and it’s fortunate that his family extends beyond his immediate relatives and those here in the room. It encompasses not just the Jewish community, but humanity as a whole.
The organization, established at the University of Southern California in 2006, focuses on gathering, safeguarding, and disseminating accounts from survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust. It has further broadened its purpose to record instances of other genocidal events, such as the Armenian genocide, and address ongoing antisemitism, striving to combat it.
The moving evening featured reflections on all of those hateful incidents, with Holocaust survivors and their descendants urging people to never forget and never again let such a tragedy occur. Numerous speakers expressed alarm about the rise in antisemitism in recent years, particularly amid Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas.
In more recent times, Spielberg reiterated sentiments similar to those expressed at his USC Medallion ceremony last spring, stating, “It seems we are compelled to battle yet again for the freedom to embrace our Jewish identity.
He stated that the most potent counter to hatred lies within the strength of empathy, a lesson we’ve learned from both the survivors themselves and their communities.
The messages of survivors, Spielberg said, are even more crucial today, “as we mark the first anniversary of a horrific Oct. 7 massacre and the brutal torture and murder of the innocent hostages; more crucial to the stopping of political violence caused by lies, conspiracy theories and ignorance; and more crucial to stop the growing threat of antisemitism.”
Spielberg urged the safe return of the hostages and discussed the Palestinians who lost their lives during the conflict.
He stated that every human life holds great value, even the lives of the 42,000 Palestinians – men, women, and children – who sadly fell victim to a conflict they didn’t initiate.
The establishment, which Spielberg referred to as “the most life-affirming voyage of my entire career,” aims to help upcoming generations identify the subtle signals of white supremacist groups, antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and anti-democratic movements.
As a gamer, I’m humbly grateful to have received the inaugural Leadership Award from Spielberg’s foundation, previously known as the unnamed Executive Committee Member award. This honor now bears my name, Mickey Shapiro, in recognition of my lifelong commitment to preserving the historical truth of the Holocaust and combating antisemitism through dedicated research and education efforts.
During the event, it was not just Spielberg who drew a link between the foundation’s work and contemporary issues. Meryl Streep began her speech by discussing the danger of misinformation in today’s world, emphasizing that due to advancements in AI and technology, visual content can now be artificially created.
As a gamer, I can’t help but reflect on the unique position we find ourselves in, being perhaps the last generation capable of distinguishing truth from illusion based solely on images. We are the ones who can still point to filmed evidence as indisputable proof.
Streep asserted that the testimonies of survivors are more vital than ever, as they forcefully demonstrate the devastating impact of hate and show us potential outcomes if we remain idle. These accounts serve as a stark reminder of the repercussions of inaction and keep alive the recollection of events as they truly unfolded, not just to document the horrific events of yesteryears but to ignite within us stories of bravery that these tales unveil. And such courage is something we will all require very soon.
As a gamer, I found myself in a unique setting where Angela Sarafyan, Messing, Pierce, and Matthew Modine graced the stage to share profound insights. They spoke passionately about the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, racial discrimination during World War II, and contemporary antisemitism. They presented harrowing testimonies from survivors, offering a chilling reminder of our past and the importance of standing against such atrocities today.
Messing stated that the Holocaust illustrates the consequences of unchecked hatred in today’s world. He emphasized how indifference allows tyrants to perpetrate unspeakable atrocities.
Modine commented, “The phrase ‘Never forget’ is undeniably powerful, but it can also be easy to overlook. The past year has been one of the hardest for the Jewish community since the Holocaust, and in an environment where all forms of hatred appear to be encouraged by our politics and amplified by social media, the shadow that led to the Holocaust seems ominously close.
Later on, Perlman played the melody from “Schindler’s List,” while Springsteen, making an unexpected appearance, sang “The Ghost of Tom Joad” and “Dancing in the Dark.
At the culmination of the event, the Humanity Ambassador Award was bestowed upon Holocaust survivors. This recognition honored their remarkable strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions to preserving history. Irene Weiss, a survivor herself, proudly received the award on behalf of the over 50 survivors who were present. In her acceptance speech, she shared her personal experience as a 13-year-old during those trying times.
The occasion included speeches from University of Southern California President Carol Folt, Shoah Foundation’s executive director Robert Williams, and Board of Councilors chair Joel Citron. Moreover, this event signified the start of the foundation’s endowment campaign aimed at raising $300 million. So far, they have secured $105 million in donations and pledges to support their mission. This funding will be utilized for expanding research and educational programs, preserving and enriching their digital archive, enhancing their presence in Washington D.C., and strengthening their overall operations.
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2024-10-21 04:25