Kol Israel 2017 Holocaust Memorial Zion Memorial Park
Bedford Heights September 24, 2017
Kol Israel Foundation is an organization of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, their families, and supporters. Each year they hold an annual Memorial Service.
The 56th annual Memorial Service was held at Zion Memorial Park in Bedford Heights on Sunday September 24, 2017. It was co-sponsored by Kol Israel Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. In 1961, Kol Israel built one of the first monuments in the United States dedicated to the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Ashes of the victims from concentration camps are buried beneath it and the names of deceased family members are engraved on its surrounding wall.
The ceremony included a special dedication of the Kol Israel Memorial Monument’s Historical Marker. The marker, granted by the Ohio History Connection, acknowledges the Monument as the first of its kind in the United States.
The ceremony began with Avi Goldman introducing the Jewish War Veterans who carried the flags.
Avi Goldman
Then Michael Hennenberg, a son of a Holocaust survivor, read a Memorial Prayer.
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Michael Hennenberg
Then, MC Avi Goldman introduced Charles Gruenspan, a son of a Holocaust survivor, who sang Ani Maamin prayer.
Charles Gruenspan
Avi Goldman then introduced many friends and supporters of the effort including two war veterans who had helped liberate the camps.
Liberators
Event Co-chair Mark Frank told the story of how the Memorial achieved an Ohio Historical marker.
Mark Frank
Becky Trivison is a history curator at the Ohio History Connection. She told how the Ohio Historical Marker program began in 1957 and that there are now about 1600 markers in Ohio. She told how the Marker came to be and then she and Mark Frank unveiled the marker.
Becky Trivison
Becky Trivison and Mark Frank
Becky Trivison and Mark Frank unveil the Ohio Historical marker
Joshua Kramer introduced the 6 people for the Candle Lighting ceremony for the six million martyrs. Introduced were Ruth Barna & Helen Cyncynatus, Fred Birnstock, Kelly Millstone & Niki Lustig, Paula Scoenberg Stevens, Ruth Bergrin Gordon and Dr. Jeff Silver.
Joshua Kramer
Next, MC Avi Goldman introduced Kol Israel president Muriel Weber who said they would never forget.
Avi Goldman
Kol Israel president Muriel Weber
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Next, Jewish Federation of Cleveland president Gary Gross shared some personal stories.
Jewish Federation of Cleveland president Gary Gross
Next, Shirley Frum Cohen shared some personal reflections.
Shirley Frum Cohen
Rabbi Richard Block from The Temple-Tifereth Israel spoke next.
Rabbi Richard Block
Charles Gruenspan then led Tehillim and Kol Mole Rachamim.
Charles Gruenspan
Then Rabbi Richard Block from The Temple-Tifereth Israel led the Mourner's Kaddish.
Rabbi Richard Block
MC Avi Goldman thanked his co-chair Mark Frank and concluded the program. The color guard marched out and the Holocaust survivors posed for a photo.
Avi Goldman and Mark Frank
Holocaust Survivors Group Photo
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