[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 112 (Monday, September 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMENDING THE PUBLICATION OF ``TO LIFE: STORIES OF COURAGE AND 
   SURVIVAL TOLD BY HAMPTON ROADS HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS LIBERATORS AND 
                               RESCUERS''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2002

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to the publication 
of ``To Life: Stories of Courage and Survival as told by Hampton Roads 
Holocaust Survivors, Liberators, and Rescuers.''
  I also wish to bring to the attention of the House of Representatives 
the following statement issued by Rabbi Israel Zoberman, spiritual 
leader of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, upon 
publication by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater of the book 
``To Life: Stories Of Courage and Survival told by Hampton Roads 
Holocaust Survivors, Liberators and Rescuers.'' Rabbi Zoberman, son of 
Polish Holocaust survivors, and his daughter Rachel are among the 
contributing authors.

                      Statement of Rabbi Zoberman

       Out of the depths of Jewish anguish and an aching human 
     soul, with much trepidation to disclose accounts so personal 
     and intimate yet with a compelling need to unburden heavy-
     laden hearts, reaching out to connect across a separating 
     abyss, this--courageously, convincingly and caringly--shared 
     tales of woes and victories is an enduring gift of Tikvah, 
     reasssuring hope for generations.
       Out of the Shoah's poisonous fires still threatening to 
     consume civilization, hope is painstakingly garnered and 
     guarded from the midst of despair, a reminder of humanity's 
     capacity to stand up to indefinite evil--physically, 
     psychologically and spiritually--to ensure that infinite 
     goodness will be the lot of all God's children.
       Hope that dreams dashed by blind hatred and boundless 
     cruelty perverting the divine image within us cannot 
     ultimately be destroyed by demonic design deposited in the 
     recesses of human depravity. While affirming the Holocaust's 
     uniqueces we recall with horror the September 11th, 2001 
     terrorist strikes and the genocidal wars in Cambodia, Rwanda 
     and Bosnia, further diminishing us. Hope that life's sacred 
     and sweet essence of creative potential, morel imperative, 
     fulfilling relations and maturing growth will prevail over 
     the stifling emptiness of a culture of death. Hope that the 
     holiness in the victims' lives, symbolized by the flickering 
     Sabbath lights, is within reach in spite of history's harsh 
     winds. Hope that glorious Israel reborn, the surviving 
     remnant facing continued trials and tribulations, will ever 
     be a fitting testimony to its martyred people's inspiring 
     bequest of prophetic values and undying faith. Hope filled 
     with lasting gratitude that the United States of America, 
     home and haven to the persecuted and oppressed, a weary 
     humanity's best and last beacon of light, will retain its 
     great pluralistic vision. It valiantly defeated Nazism and it 
     will win as well its war on global terrorism.
       Our heroic survivors, rescuers and liberators have entered 
     portals not one else has, a land only they traversed, leaving 
     behind lost dear ones safe from hurt and humiliation under 
     the Shechina's broken wings. They dared remember, recall and 
     retell for memory empowers the living and is the dead's 
     lasting memorial. Rebuilding and healing their lives in 
     Hampton Roads, the survivors along with their children and 
     grandchildren provide us with indelible past and present 
     lessons of perseverance, purpose and promise. The treasured 
     candles of their cherished lives will brightly shine, eternal 
     watch and witness, kindling a path for shalom's blessing to 
     yes highlight a global community at harmonious peace.

  Mr. Speaker, I commend this important publication to all Members of 
the House of Representatives. The stories of Holocaust survivors must 
be documented and told again and again. In doing so, we will ensure 
that such inhumane horror will remain present forever in our collective 
conscience, so that we, above all else, will never let this dark 
chapter in our history ever repeat itself.

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