Holocaust Survivors Honor Victims

(Photo from www.nooz.gr)

Six Holocaust survivors from the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki lit a candle for every million people who perished during the Holocaust years at a memorial event at the Thessaloniki “Monastiriotes” synagogue on Sunday, April 22nd.  The Thessaloniki Jewish Community observed Holocaust Remembrance Day with the event, which included hymns, a speech by Haim Alvo, a captain of the Hellenic Royal Air Force during WWII, who spoke of his personal recollections and the assistance he received from Christian Greeks during his escape to Egypt.  Jewish Community President David Saltiel reminded attendees of the importance of remembering that is was Christian Greeks who helped Jews to escape.  He also described how “Greek” the Jews of Greece actually felt, as evidenced in their behavior:  they did not hide, but rather, fought alongside the Greek army against the Nazis.  According to Mr. Saltiel, there are approximately 20 Holocaust survivors still living in Thessaloniki today.