Hatred of Jews and antisemitism have reached alarming levels and is moving back into everyday life. For 15 years, the global March of Remembrance movement, initiated by repentant Nazi descendants from Tubingen Germany has mobilized tens of thousands of people worldwide to take to the streets for peace and against antisemitism.
DALLAS, April 19, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In 1933, over nine million Jews lived in Europe, working hard, and raising families in the harsh reality of the worldwide economic depression. By May of 1945, the number alarmingly fell to three million. Following Adolf Hitler's appointment as German chancellor on January 30, 1933, the road from persecution to genocide was paved with the lives of six million Jewish men, women, and children. That the Third Reich and their collaborators had murdered two-thirds of the population of European Jews as part of a systematic "Final Solution" was horrific— that a nation of people and much of the world stood by silently while the atrocities were being committed was incomprehensible.
As the horrifying images of what the Allied troops discovered when they entered the concentration camps began to spread throughout the world, it became a time of collective mourning.
Yet living amongst the stench of death and destruction, amongst the piles of corpses, bones, and human ashes, soldiers also found thousands of survivors—Jews and non-Jews alike—suffering from starvation, disease, and from profound memories that would leave genetic footprints and pass between generations. For those who survived the Holocaust, the journey to rebuild their lives was daunting; it was also a testimony to the power of faith and the strength of spirit.
The March of Life is an international organization started by Jobst and Charlotte Bittner, originating in Tübingen, Germany. Together with penitent descendants of Wehrmacht soldiers, members of the SS, and the German police force, they have organized memorial and reconciliation marches at historic sites of the Holocaust all over Europe.
Ted Pearce was an outspoken advocate of March of Life, taking a bold stand against anti-Semitism. In 2007, he brought the Bittner's vision to the US, giving birth to the March of Remembrance in Dallas Texas. This will be the 15 year anniversary for Dallas and 10th year anniversary for Houston Marches of Remembrance.
Since then, Marches of Remembrance have been held worldwide in 20 nations and more than 400 cities, including Israel.
As organizations around the country partner with March of Remembrance, people from all walks of life come together with a common goal; to remember the Holocaust, stand against anti-Semitism and hate, and reconcile with the Jewish community during the month of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). A time when tens of thousands of people worldwide join together with one voice—one heart—and one collective goal; to honor, educate, remember, and engage.
"March of Remembrance Dallas is the local chapter of this international organization. It will begin promptly at 2:00 on Sunday, April 24, 2022, on the campus of Southern Methodist University. "It will be a powerful, life-changing event," said Dr. Victoria Sarvadi, Author, Hebraic Theologian, and Executive Director of the Dallas chapter of March of Remembrance.
"This moving event will start with a lawn ceremony where Holocaust survivor Rosian Zerner from Lithuania will share her story, along with Nazi descendant Claudia Keissinger and Renata Hurd, Polish descendant of Righteous Among the Nations. Her father at the age of 17, risked his life to hide nine Jewish escapees from a ghetto that was about to be liquidated. The testimonies will be followed by an "Honor March" (around SMU Boulevard). Each participant will carry a stone with a victim's name and age. The purpose of the stone is to remember those who perished and stand in solidarity against prejudice, intolerance and hate." Dr. Sarvadi added. The event will conclude at the outdoor tent, where the winners of several $5,000 Nathaniel Foundation scholarships along with closing remarks from dignitaries and a proclamation from the mayor of Dallas,"
March of Remembrance is not a political statement, a rally, or a publicity stunt. We march to honor the Holocaust survivors and their descendants and let their voices be heard, and their stories told. It is not a platform for publicity to promote an agenda on the part of any person or organization and is no platform for proselytizing. The march is to remember those who were lost and those who were brave enough to stand up against the horror, raise their voices, and act. There is a need to educate a generation due to the overwhelming documentation of the reality of the Holocaust, many who deny it even happened or claim that the reports were exaggerated. The march is also a way to engage with local communities as people take to the streets in peaceful assembly and collectively raise voices against modern-day anti-Semitism, and any form of racism, motivating people all over the globe to take a stand and speak out.
"I've experienced the power of incredible unity as people of all ages from different religions and ethnicities come together for the basic human right to exist," said Dr. Sarvadi. "We invite individuals, families, congregations, and communities to join us as we raise our voices together for remembrance, reconciliation, and friendship. A special day that will change the way you view tradition, history, and the power of the human spirit."
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Registration and music starts at 1:00 PM
Ceremony 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Lawn ceremony in front of Dallas Hall by the flagpole.
On the grounds of Southern Methodist University (SMU)
3300 Dyer Street
Dallas, TX 75205
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA: To schedule an interview with Dr. Victoria Sarvadi, call or email Dr. Sarvadi directly at 972-832-6256 or [email protected]
For additional information or on ways you can donate, visit: https://thenathanielfoundation.org/mor-dallas/
For information about March of Remembrance Houston on May 1, visit https://holocaustremembranceassociation.org/what-we-do/march-of-remembrance-texas/
Media Contact
Jackie Thornton, The Nathaniel Foundation, 1 832-527-8132, [email protected]
Dr. Victoria Sarvadi, https://victoriasarvadi.com/, 972-832-6256, [email protected]
SOURCE March of Remembrance
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