Kristallnacht program in Scotch Plains
Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains will commemorate the anniversary of Kristallnacht on Friday, November 6, at 7:30 p.m. Fred Polak, the son of Dutch Holocaust survivors, will speak during CBI’s Friday night Shabbat services. An oneg Shabbat will follow.
“With a rise in antisemitism around the world, it is important to learn about the Holocaust and hear stories of survivors,” Rita Geller said. She co-chairs the synagogue’s Second/Third Generation Holocaust Survivors Group, a sponsor of the program, along with Faye Bodenstein and Claire Bornstein.
Mr. Polak’s parents Jaap (Jack) and Ina’s love story began in concentration camps (Westerborg and Bergen-Belsen) and endured for decades. The love letters they secretly exchanged strengthened them during a time of hardship. Jack Polak’s letters, which miraculously survived, became the basis for a book and inspired the award-winning documentary “Steal a Pencil for Me.”
Fred Polak was among the first wave of Jewish children born to Holocaust survivors in Europe after World War II. The family immigrated to the United States in 1950, settling in Tuckahoe, N.Y., where Fred and his brother and sister were raised.
Jack Polak was president of the Anne Frank Center, USA, and spoke to many civic, religious, school, and youth groups about his Holocaust experiences. “I have attempted to continue my father’s commitment to Holocaust education,” Fred Polak said. “By presenting my parents’ unique story, I hope to convey the lessons that should be learned from the Holocaust.”
Fred Polak, an attorney, lives in Scotch Plains with his wife, Carrie. They have two children and five grandchildren.
The Kristallnacht program is sponsored by CBI’s Second/Third Generation Holocaust Survivors Group. Initiated at CBI, this group also includes participants from other area synagogues and the community. Members volunteer at local schools to present their families’ Holocaust experiences to students. They also plan events, such as the Kristallnacht Remembrance, to educate the public about the Holocaust and to honor and remember those who suffered and perished.
For questions, call (908) 889-1830 or email lesleyl@cbisp.org Additional information can be found on CBI’s website at cbinj.org