Holocaust Remembrance Day of the Greek Jewry An event by the Consulate General of Greece in New York

The year 2019 marks 80 years since the outbreak of World War II and the Consulate's General of Greece annual commemoration events, honoring the International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27th).

To commemorate the six million Jewish people who died during the Holocaust and the Greek Jewry in particular, the Consulate General of Greece in New York held its anniversary event at the Hebrew Union College in New York (January 23rd).

Ms. Katherine E. Fleming, Provost of New York University and Alexander S. Onassis Professor of Hellenic Culture & Civilization gave the keynote speech at the event, following the greetings by Greece and Israel’s Consuls General, Mr. Konstantinos Koutras and Mr. Dani Dayan, as well as the remarks by Rabbi Dr. Martin Cohen and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. The President of the American Friends of the Jewish Museum of Greece Mr. Solomon Asser delivered his greeting on behalf of the Greek-American Jews.

All speakers emphasized the importance of staying vigilant when guarding against bigotry, antisemitism together with all those erosive elements which led our societies to be torn apart in the 20th century. As the Greek Consul pointed out "the word is where it all begins". "It matters what we say, but most importantly, it matters what we choose not to say, out of apathy or, inconvenience". The Israeli Consul General underscored there is a difference between our societies now and then. "They were ignorant, we are now experienced”, he said. Professor Fleming highlighted the strong feeling of patriotism demonstrated by some Greek Jews, as documented in several autobiographical features, among which, a letter written by a Greek Jew inside a concentration camp, which was unearthed several years ago.

Preserving oral history, the Consulate of Greece in New York screens every year a documentary film to narrate the incredible personal stories of the once populous Greek Jewry. U.S. based Greek producer and cinematographer Steven Priovolos presented his film “Life Will Smile,” excerpts of which narrate the unique survival story of the 275 Jews of Zakynthos during WWII.

The event closed with a musical performance by composer-pianist Mr. Phytos Stratis and Cantor Mr. Nektarios Antoniou with music composed by Mikis Theodorakis.

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