Kol Israel 2025 Holocaust Memorial Zion Memorial Park
Bedford Heights September 28, 2025
Kol Israel Foundation is an organization of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, their families, and supporters. Each year they hold an annual Memorial Service "in memory of the six million innocent Jewish men, women and children who perished by the hands of the Nazis. Though their bodies have perished, their souls and their spirit will forever remain immortal."
The annual Memorial Service was held at Zion Memorial Park in Bedford Heights on Sunday September 28, 2025. 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.
Kol Israel Monument
A large crowd attended the event and they were welcomed by Memorial Co-Chair Avi Goldman who introduced the Color Guard to begin the program.
Avi Goldman
The Honor Guard consisted of Jewish War Veterans, the Kol Israel Flag carried by Julie Kronenberg and the Shul Boys Motorcycle Club carrying flags of eight nations who helped liberate the camps.
Honor Guard of Jewish War Veterans and others
Memorial co-chair Mark Frank introduced Michael Hennenberg, son of a Holocaust survivor, who read a Memorial Prayer.
Mark Frank
Michael Hennenberg
Then, MC Avi Goldman introduced Charles Gruenspan, a son of a Holocaust survivor, who sang Ani Maamin prayer.
Charles Gruenspan and associate
Next, Jordan Walman and Julie Kronenberg introduced the Candle Lighting ceremony to honor the six million martyrs of the Holocaust. The first 5 candles were lit by relatives of those who were killed.
Jordan Walman and Julie Kronenberg
Lighting a candle to honor the six million martyrs of the Holocaust
The sixth candle was lit by Bedford Hts. Mayor Phillip Stevens
Bedford Hts. Mayor Phillip Stevens
The seventh candle was lit by a group of great-grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.
Next, Deborah Chudakoff, president of Kol Israel Foundation, gave her remarks.
Deborah Chudakoff
She was followed by Adam Rosen, Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
Adam Rosen
Watch a video of the beginning of all the above.
Then Rabbi Zushe Greenberg, Solon Chabad gave his address. Watch.
Rabbi Zushe Greenberg, Solon Chabad
Mark Frank introduced Cantor Vladimir Lapin, Congregation Mishkan Or, who sang Avinu Malkeinu, Psalm 23 and the El Malei Rachamim.
Cantor Vladimir Lapin
Then Rabbi Zushe Greenberg, Solon Chabad, led the Mourner's Kaddish. That was followed by Avi Goldman's remarks about the monument and the people/groups behind it.
Avi Goldman and Mark Frank
Then the Colors were retired to conclude the event.
Then a group of survivors posed for a group photo and then second generation people joined them.
Watch a video of the second half of the event.
Mark Frank, Bedford Hts. Mayor Phillip Stevens and Avi Goldman
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