By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California –Temple Beth Shalom in the South Bay recently held a deeply moving Yom HaShoah event that attracted over 70 attendees from various faith backgrounds.
The service, conducted in both English and Spanish to cater to the local community’s preferences, included young teens and adults alongside children of Holocaust survivors, who read poignant passages reflecting on both historical and recent tragedies, including the events of October 7th in Israel.
A notable moment during the event was provided by Rev. Karla Halvorson from the Lutheran Church of Chula Vista, who sought forgiveness from the Jewish community for her church’s historical support of the Nazi regime. She emphasized her plea by sharing impactful quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran minister renowned for his staunch opposition to Nazi policies and who paid with his life for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler.
The event also spotlighted personal narratives from Holocaust survivors, enhancing the communal understanding of historical resilience and survival. One such story was from Ursula Israelsky, who shared her harrowing experiences in Auschwitz and the personal betrayal by her father.
Ed Fishauf and I told very similar stories about how our fathers managed to survive the daily dangers of living in Auschwitz and other concentration camps.
These stories were part of a larger initiative led by Sandra Scheller, curator of the “RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust” exhibit at the Rancho San Diego Library, which is dedicated to preserving the narratives of Holocaust survivors in southern San Diego County.
Named in honor of her mother, the exhibit faced unexpected challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced its temporary closure shortly after its opening. Scheller responded by digitizing the exhibit’s content and conducting interviews with survivors, which were shared on the YouTube channel of the Chula Vista Heritage Museum, where the exhibit spent more than a year before moving to the Rancho San Diego Library.
Steven Futterman, an important member of our Temple Beth Shalom community, delved into contemporary issues like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) state-mandated programs, which have sparked significant debate within the Jewish and general communities.
While some argue for engagement with DEI initiatives to ensure Jewish representation and combat antisemitism, others criticize these programs for potentially perpetuating harmful stereotypes and not adequately addressing Jewish concerns. This ongoing debate underscores the complexity of navigating social justice initiatives while maintaining and honoring Jewish identity and historical awareness.
Futterman argued that much of the college unrest seen in college campuses across our country is due to the veiled antisemitic polemics singling the Jews as a “white oppressive privileged minority” who are guilty of exploiting the poor Palestinians of Gaza.
Lillian Silva concluded the event with a bilingual rendition of Hatikvah, symbolizing hope and unity within the community amidst ongoing global and local challenges. This moment served as a poignant reminder of the resilience and continuity of the Jewish spirit through adversity.
The program proved to be one of the most moving events we have seen in our community in recent years. We are looking to improve and expand our South Bay Yom HaShoah event in the years ahead.
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Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista. He may be contacted via michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com