Never again, set in stone: 19 memebers will shape Shoah memorial

Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed 19 educators, historians and Jewish communal leaders to a commission that will advise the state on creating a permanent Holocaust memorial at Empire State Plaza, across from the state Capitol in Albany.

“At a time when antisemitism and intolerance continue to threaten communities across our state, nation and around the world, this memorial will ensure that the stories of victims, survivors and their families remain visible, remembered and recognized,” the governor said last Wednesday. “By bringing together this distinguished advisory commission, New York is sending a clear message that we will stand firm against all efforts to sow hate and divide our communities.”

The commission will help shape the memorial’s design, educational goals and commemorative elements, according to the governor’s office. Legislation establishing the memorial was sponsored by state Sen. Patricia Fahy and Assembly member Gabriella Romero.

“In order for the words ‘Never again’ to mean something, we have to act, and we have to remember,” Fahy said.

The New York State Office of General Services will provide administrative and logistical support for the memorial’s development, the governor’s office said.

The memorial “will remind visitors not only of what can happen when hatred goes unchecked but of what did happen,” said Rob Kovach, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and a member of the commission.

“At a time of rising antisemitism, it is more important than ever that we honor the memory of the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, recognize the survivors, and ensure that future generations understand where hatred can lead,” said commission member Daniel Rosenthal, a former Assembly member and now vice president of government and external relations at UJA-Federation of New York.

The commission’s 19 members are:

•Ariel Behrman, vice president of education at the Anti-Defamation League.

•Lauren Bloomberg, director of the Holocaust Education Resource Organization of the Buffalo Jewish Federation.

•Jack Britvan, president of Voices for Truth and Humanity.

•Judy Coe Rapaport, past president of the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum.

•Michael Cohen, executive vice president of the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation.

•Tali Farhadian, CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.

•Sara Fredman Aeder, executive vice president of programming at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.

•Monica Gebell, senior director of the Center for Advocacy and Education at the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.

•Millie Jasper, executive director of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center.

•Ellie Kastel, executive director of the Boro Park Y.

•Rob Kovach, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York.

•Andrea Myer-Winograd, executive director of the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education.

•Masha Pearl, executive director of The Blue Card, which assists Holocaust survivors.

•Dave Reckess, executive director of 3GNY, an organization for descendants of Holocaust survivors.

•Gavriel Rosenfeld, president of the Center for Jewish History.

•Daniel Rosenthal, vice president of government and external relations at UJA-Federation of New York.

•Rochelle Saidel, founding executive director of the Remember the Women Institute.

•Laura Shaw Frank, vice president for education at the American Jewish Committee.

•Lori Weintrob, executive director of the Wagner College Holocaust Center.