Quilt of Memory honors Holocaust victims
Breathtaking piece of art is unveiled during remembrance ceremony
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN- The Quilt of Memory hangs for all to see at the third annual Yom Hashoah Holocaust Remembrance Day last Sunday. The event was held in the Kamenir Chapel at Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in Simi Valley.

With loving care, people who lost a loved one in the Holocaust created fabric squares for a quilt.

Each square is unique. Each one tells a story of tragedy and hope.

On Sunday, the dedication of the Mount Sinai Shoah Quilt of Memory was part of the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day held at Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in Simi Valley.

More than 400 people gathered in the Kamenir Chapel for the ceremony and unveiling of three kingsized quilts.

"In some cases, people used a photo transfer of a family member on their square," said Leonard Lawrence, general manager of the memorial park. "Some are sewing and etching, and some have things attached. They each have a story."

Erin Zucker, a 10th-grader at Westlake High School, created a simple hand-sewn square of a lighted candle with the word "remember" to honor her grandfather, Michael Mark, a Holocaust survivor. "It's part of my life and my grandpa's. I thought it would be a special thing to do," said Zucker, who attended the memorial observance with her grandfather, her aunt and her mother. "It symbolizes everybody and their lives. The flame keeps them going."

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers HIS MARK- Robert Geminder of Palos Verdes points out details of his personal square, which is part of the Quilt of Memory, to his aunt, June Heiser Shub of Los Angeles.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Mark was sent to a concentration camp when he was 18 years old, along with his parents and extended family. "We were taken, and everyone was killed the same day, those who were not selected as slaves," Mark said. "My mother survived the camp and was taken to Sweden to recuperate, but she died five months later. At least she has a grave site that I can visit."

Quilt project coordinator Lesley Rich has received more than 150 squares from several countries. Residents of Simi Valley and communities throughout Southern California contributed squares as well.

"We sent a mailing out and invited people to submit squares that commemorated or spoke to the Holocaust in any way they wanted. The response was overwhelming," Lawrence said. "We originally were hoping to make one quilt. We now have three quilts, and we're still getting squares."

Marlene Alonge, a fabric artist from Santa Monica, assembled the quilts- backed with blue taffeta and suede material- from December to April. "The squares started arriving slowly, and I started getting nervous," Alonge said.

"Then all of sudden we got this incredible response. I studied the squares and read the stories. It was a joyous gift."

During Sunday's dedication ceremony, the Long Beach Opera Company presented selections from the opera "The Diary of Anne Frank," sung by soprano Cheri Stark.

A short video ran highlighting some of the square makers and their stories.

Rabbi David Wolfe, senior rabbi at Sinai Temple of Los Angeles, was guest speaker.

Recently named by Newsweek magazine as one of the 50 most influential rabbis in America, Wolfe said the reasons for remembering those who died in the Holocaust are twofold.

"Firstly, those who died deserve to be remembered. Secondly, we hope the memory will spur people to goodness, to action," Wolfe said. "In places in the world where things like this threaten people, we have a responsibility to take action."

The ceremony concluded with a blessing by Cantor Joseph Gole of Sinai Temple in the Grove of the Righteous Rescuers.

The quilts will be on display at the memorial park before making a tour to local schools and other venues open to the public.

"Everyone who died (in the Holocaust) lived. They all had families. They all had joys and sorrows and then it was taken away," Wolfe said. "Left behind was a memory, a slight echo of a name. Even if we only remember a name, that is a powerful tribute."