Museum of Jewish Heritage Honors Survivors Lost Amid Pandemic

New York City NY

15 March, 2021

10:02 AM

Description

The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust will share the stories of Holocaust survivors who lost their lives over the last year – to the present day – through a new tribute site to be launched on Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 8, 2021. The tribute page on the Museum's website will feature the testimonials of relatives and images of those who lost their lives to COVID-19, and due to other causes, since the pandemic began. The memorial, a new section on the Museum's website, is designed to remember those who survived the Holocaust, and provide a space for relatives to share their memories of loved ones. The Museum is now seeking those stories and encouraging relatives from the New York metropolitan area and beyond to submit those stories – along with photos – at https://mjhnyc.org/those-weve-lost-memorial-submissions/. "Over this past year, as we've endured a devastating pandemic, we have heard from relatives who have sought ways to share the stories of perseverance and resilience in times of pain and in times of hope," said Jack Kliger, President & CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. "Since our founding days nearly 25 years ago, the Museum has dedicated our work to both those who lost their lives during the Holocaust, and those who survived, and their children and grandchildren. Through this new tribute page, we will ensure their lives will not be forgotten." It is estimated that more than 38,000 survivors – who are older than 75 – live in the greater New York metropolitan area, and it's expected that population will decline to 23,400 within the next four years. Though there is no definitive account of how many have lost their lives due to COVID, some 900 people who survived the Holocaust died from COVID-19 in Israel, according to the country's Central Bureau of Statistics. All Holocaust survivors are at least 75 years old and COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, is particularly lethal to seniors. Since the pandemic began, the Museum of Jewish Heritage has enlisted staff to regularly engage with survivors affiliated with the Museum, calling them weekly, teaching those who normally would speak in person with students and other groups how to connect with them through technology, and supporting its café owner's delivery of meals weekly to survivors in New York as they self-isolated. To date, the Museum has collected 15 stories, mainly from New Yorkers who have lost loved ones who lived in New York, Ohio, and other states. Contributions to the new tribute page will not end on April 8. The Museum will continue to unveil the stories of those who have passed moving forward, and encourages anyone who has lost a loved one who survived the Holocaust to submit those stories.