Monday, October 30, 2023, 7:30 PM EDT

FREE & Open to the Community

Simon Family JCC

A rich anthology collected by the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, To Life: The Past is Present, tells the stories of Holocaust survivors who made their homes in Hampton Roads. It is anchored by historical notes and archival information to create a well-rounded history of the Holocaust.  

This panel discussion will provide insight into the process, importance, and educational value of the book, because without true stories of survival, we cannot properly honor the millions who perished. There is no doubt that the memories of those who were murdered are kept alive by those who tell their stories – and by those who document them.

Did Benny Fefer ever see his twin brother again?  What happened to Hanns Loewenbach after his treacherous swim in freezing Baltic waters? How did Devorah Gutterman and her small daughter survive living in plain sight in World War II Poland? To Life: The Past Is Present will answer these questions and more through stories that open a personal window into what it was like to survive the Holocaust.  

To Life: The Past Is Present contains recollections of ghetto and concentration camp survivors, hidden children, Jews on the run, refugees, and daring, selfless rescuers. Completing this historical arc are the accounts of military liberators who first witnessed the aftermath of the atrocities. All of these resilient people called Hampton Roads their home at one time in their lives. 

The mission of the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is to foster an understanding of the uniqueness and magnitude of the Holocaust, while inspiring students, teachers, and our community to champion human dignity in our constantly changing world.

"To Life: The Past Is Present" memorializes real and very special people whose individual accounts, each unique, bear witness to a common evil. This well-organized edition makes these heroic stories more accessible. These stories will be an inspiration to the next generation and a permanent repudiation to would be deniers.
— DR. CARROLL STARLING, Retired U.S. Navy Chaplain, former high school history educator, and Professor of Education at Old Dominion University

The local profiles featured in this book represent both a gift and a responsibility.  Holocaust survivors, liberators, and rescuers in Hampton Roads have generously shared their stories to help future generations understand their struggle and survival.  We, the readers, have an obligation to apply and share what we learn from their powerful experiences.  In doing so, we honor the longstanding principle of "Never Again" as we proclaim "L'Chaim (To Life)!"
— JONATHAN ZUR, President & CEO, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities