Have You Hugged A Holocaust Survivor Lately?

My Assemblymember Ira Ruskin sent me an email this morning. He informed that as part of the Holocaust Remembrance Week, the California State Assembly had a Holocaust Memorial Ceremony at the Capitol on April 28 of this year. Ira described how 60 bona fide holocaust survivors were paired with 60 young students. The students were told to interview the survivors and then write an essay about the genocide and mistreatment of Jews. The younsters were being sensitized to the Jewish plight. Lunch was provided by California taxpayers.

I didn't vote for Ira Ruskin. But Assemblymembers of California should be preoccupied with California affairs. Reps shouldn't be a tool to indoctrinate unsuspecting youngsters about the Jewish condition without giving equal time to victims of the Jewish experience like the Palestinians as one example. Ira Ruskin didn't do this.

If Ira wants to perpetuate the holocaust story let him do it on his own time. He should get together with the Jewish elders and plan for the day when all the holocaust survivors are gone. After all they are getting quite old. How about marketing the holocaust remembrance with a joint effort with corporate sponsors? For instance, Costco could private label a "Holocaust Charcoal" with a portion of the proceeds going to the srvivors of the holocaust survivors and their reps in government? Lenscrafters could provide special recycle bins in their outlets for used eyeglasses. The Zales Jewelry Store chain could have recepticles for used rings and necklaces. Then people who choose to remember can remember.

I have met decent Jews. They don't preach about the holocaust. The story of the Jewish experience has two sides.