Events

HIT commemorated the victims of the Holocaust in an emotional ceremony

The Holocaust Remembrance Day this year's main theme was "the last Jewish witness - 80 years since the beginning of the mass extermination."

Photo: Dina Staskovich

A special and emotional ceremony was held at the institute, for the first time since Corona, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust. Among the guests was the Israeli Ambassador to North Macedonia Mr. Dan Oryan, as well as the Ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and a representative of the Bulgarian Embassy in Israel. Representatives of the IIWW Veterans Organization, a representative of the World Zionist Organization, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives of academic institutions, industry and commerce.

The theme of the ceremony was the preservation of the memory of the Jewish community of the city of Bitola-Monastir in northern Macedonia, which numbered about 3,300 Jews before the Holocaust, almost all of which were exterminated.

In 2018, an HIT delegation participated in a series of events marking the 75th anniversary of the deportation of Jews to the concentration camps, including the "March of the living" held at the site, the hackathon on the restoration of the old Jewish cemetery and the establishment of a "life" park around it.

HIT was chosen to support and take a major part in this important project by assisting in the construction of the database of the names of the Jews of Bitola who perished in the Holocaust. The personal stories of the Holocaust survivors and those of the second generation, help preserve the memory of the Holocaust and the heroism and ensure that this awful period in the history of the Jewish will never be forgotten.

Prof. Eduard Yakubov | Photo: Dina Staskovich

Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT, spoke at the ceremony and told the personal story of his family in Uzbekistan during World War II - a story that combines the Holocaust, heroism and revival. In his remarks, the president of the institute praised the humane and remarkable behavior of the Uzbek people, who opened the doors of their homes and their hearts to thousands of Jewish refugees from Europe who found refuge and help there.

Dr. Ichak Adizes | Photo: Dina Staskovich

Dr. Ichak Adizes, from MIT, who was born in Skopje, told in a recorded interview from the United States his fascinating personal story about his experiences as a child with his family, the events of the Holocaust and his immigration to Israel and his difficult absorption here. Dr. Adizes noted the paramount importance of continuing telling the story of the events of these years for the sake of future generations.

Mr. Shmuel Goldberg | Photo: Dina Staskovich

Mr. Shmuel Goldberg, CEO of HIT, shared with the audience the personal and moving story of his family and his experiences as a second generation son. "Being a second generation is something you did not choose," said Mr. Goldberg, named after his grandfather Shmuel, who perished in the Holocaust. The members of the second generation are the ones who carry in their souls the struggle of the Holocaust survivors, their parents and their grandparents for many years, even in homes where the issue is not discussed at all. "We must tell and share what we've heard from first testimony," Mr. Goldberg concluded.

Dr. Rachel-Shelly Levy-Drummer | Photo: Dina Staskovich

Dr. Rachel-Shelly Levy-Drummer, the Academic Secretary at Bar-Ilan University. and one of the initiators of the "March of the living", as well as the restoration of Bitola's old Jewish cemetery, was born in Macedonia and told the tragic story of her family during and after the Holocaust.

Ambassador Dan Oryan | Photo: Dina Staskovich

The ceremony was concluded by the speech of the Israeli Ambassador to Macedonia and the Director of the Balkans Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dan Oryan, who upon taking office took it upon himself to tell the untold story of the community of Bitola and which many people did not even know. The Ambassador noted the ongoing and strong collaboration with HIT that combines research and innovation, in favor of preserving the memory of Macedonian Jewry.

"The Winning Ensemble" | Photo: Dina Staskovich

The event was accompanied by an outstanding musical performance by the ensemble "The Winning Ensemble", which was established in 2018 as a representational ensemble with the aim of encouraging youth with special needs to volunteer and contribute to the community.

The ensemble was accompanied by 23-year-old Roi Ginat, who was born blind, and the singers: Jonathan Madmon, Nathaniel Glam and Eitan Aharon, who moved the audience with their singing. Their conductor and musical manager, Ofra Cohen is a social entrepreneurial musician.

Photo: Dina Staskovich

The "Julia Mizrahi Vitrina Gallery" at HIT presents a digital exhibition that tells the story of the community of Bitola in Macedonia, alongside a photo exhibition featuring photographs taken by participants in the March of the Living" held there, including youth with special needs. The exhibition was curated by Shlomi Amsalem and was produced by Ofer Gtz and Smadar Tzuk. The entire website includes historical details about the community and the rehabilitative activities done at the local cemetery.

Visit the online exhibition