Jewish, Hellenics in CT remember Holocaust

Tali Feinberg

“We must never forget this dark page of world history”

“We mourn with you the extinction of Jewish communities who were deeply rooted in Greece. We lost some of our most progressive citizens. We will also not forget how our Jewish compatriots defended our country,” continued the consul.

Over 500 people attended the event, which continued with an address by the Ambassador of Greece, Maria Diamantopoulou, who explained her “very personal connection to this history”.

RIGHT: (front row): Zanet Battinou (director: Jewish Museum of Greece); Ambassador of Greece Maria Diamantopoulou; Kathy Christelis: Richard Freedman (director: CTHC,SAHGF). (Back): Nassos Martalas (president: Hellenic Community of Cape Town); Mano Christelis (great-grandson of rescuer Hariklia Sayanou); Consul of Greece Thomas Matsoukas; Ambassador of Israel to South Africa  Arthur Lenk; Archbishop Sergio Kykkotis (Greek Orthodox Church Cape Metropole); and Terry Christelis (Mano’s son) – PIC GABRIEL ATHIROS (HISTORICAL MEDIA)

Israel’s Ambassador to South Africa Arthur Lenk, emphasised how much he valued the friendship between the two communities, adding: “We are both ancient peoples with long memories.”  He pointed out that the association had always been positive. He emphasised how the two Diaspora communities could connect in that “while we are here, our hearts are in the Mediterranean, in Greece and Israel”.

Cape Board Chairman Eric Marx said: “We are so pleased to be with our Greek friends, to build on the already strong bond and warmth that exists between us.” He praised the Greek community’s contribution to South Africa, particularly that of George Bizos, who worked together with Jewish activists and lawyers to fight apartheid crimes.

Introducing the film In the Shadow of the Acropolis, Cape Town Holocaust Centre Director Richard Freedman emphasised how “learning the lessons of history depends on telling personal stories”. The documentary told the story of one family’s survival during the Holocaust in Greece, directed by a descendent of those who had survived.

Following the film, in a very moving moment, Mano Christelis was called to the podium to be honoured by the two communities. He is the great-grandson of Harklia Sayanou, who hid the family featured in the film during the Nazi occupation of Greece, and is named as Righteous Among the Nations at Yad Vashem.

In her keynote address, Director of the Jewish Museum of Greece (JMG) Zanet Battinou, delved into the history, explaining how during the Nazi occupation of Greece, “the heaviest toll was paid by the Greek Jews… About 62 000 of a total 80 000 perished.”

At the same time, she chose to focus on the many stories of rescue: “The vast majority of rescuers were ordinary people from all walks of life,” she said. Up to now, 320 Greek citizens have been awarded the title of Righteous Among The Nations.

She also spoke about the resistance movement in Greece, “which considered assisting the persecuted Jews as a serious task… These underground activities of Greek-Jewish resistance paved the way for the dispersal and hiding of thousands of Jews from Athens in the homes of sympathetic Christians.”

The event concluded with performances by the Jewish and Hellenic community choirs, who in the spirit of friendship sang songs in each other’s languages (Greek and Yiddish), summing up the spirit of a very special evening.