Embassy hosts Holocaust survivors for Rosh Hashana

DIANE WOLFSON

Accompanied by Tali Nates, the Director of the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, as well as a few volunteers and second-generation survivors (the children of people who lived through the Holocaust), the group of 11 survivors was treated to delicious food and entertainment by the Heartbeat Clowns, the first medical clowns in South Africa.

Sarit said she was humbled and excited to welcome everyone, especially survivor Madelein Lopato, who was the oldest, having just turned 100. Bringing down the average age slightly were the ambassador’s daughter, Gal, and Tali Kadish, the daughter of one of the volunteers.

Lior expressed joy in welcoming the family’s first group of guests prior to Rosh Hashanah, and wished them Shana Tova for the year 5779. “The Holocaust was the most dramatic event in almost 6 000 years, and you [the survivors], are the ones who proved that even in the darkest times, the Jewish spirit will prevail, to win, and create new life,” he said.

Pictured: Madelein Lopato