Australian Holocaust survivors gather in defiance of hate at national reunion

Holocaust survivors gather for a national reunion in Sydney, celebrating resilience and life while refusing to let hate overshadow their spirit.

Holocaust Survivors Ernie Friedlander, Fay Filler and Peter Halas at the Australian Holocaust Survivors Reunion Luncheon at New South Wales Parliament. John Feder

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

For those attending the first national reunion in more than 40 years of Australian Holocaust survivors there was a determination to embrace the present and to celebrate light over darkness.

In a poignant show of resilience, unity and a celebration of life, about 85 survivors attended the event at the NSW parliament on Sunday afternoon. They were joined by NSW Premier Chris Minns and Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon.

The event, arranged in “direct response” to the alarming rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7, 2023, terror attacks by Hamas, was masterminded by Holocaust survivor Eddy Boas – who survived the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp as a child.

Mr Boas, who was three years old when transported to the concentration camp, did not want to talk about the horrors of the past.

“Let’s talk about our life in Australia, that’s our new life,” he said.

“As Jews, I know we’re having a hard time at the moment, but believe me, be positive, it will all go away and you’ll go back to this country the way it was, I hope.”

Israeli Ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon. Picture: John Feder

Sharri Markson. Picture: John Feder

Mr Minns spoke about Yvonne Engelman, who survived Auschwitz, and who died last month at the age of 98. “When I think of Yvonne, I think there is no better retort to the evil of Nazism than a long life, a happy life that’s been well lived,” he said.

He praised the Jewish community’s contribution to society, saying the nation “owes an unpayable debt to your generation of Jewish migrants, people who came to this country and changed it undeniably for the better”.

“When you look at our skyline, when you visit our hospitals, or work in the business world, if you spend time in science and philanthropy and the arts, it’s clear the benefits of Jewish migration to our country are obvious,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to have not just this generation of Jewish migrants, but all people who call Australia home of the Jewish faith, we owe it to you to have your back to live up to that pledge of never again.”

Mr Maimon said the event was not only about honouring survivors, but honouring the truth behind the six million Jews killed.

“Men, women and children murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, aided by the silence and complicity of ordinary people who choose not to act,” Mr Maimon said.

“Yes, there were righteous individuals, angels, who risked everything ... (but) most stood by allowing evil to unfold, but you, with unimaginable strength, march forward. You refuse to be erased, your presence here today, along with your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, is a declaration. It is living proof of the Nazi regime failure.”

Sky News host Sharri Markson said the very existence of the survivors was in defiance of anti-semitism.

“Our critics tell us to stop comparing this moment in time to the 1930s, to stop talking about the Holocaust, but for many of you these are deep memories,” Ms Markson told the group.

“They live in your frown lines, in your silences, in your nightmares and in your stories, and it’s an experience that’s not just shaped each of you individually, but our entire Jewish population around the world,” she said.

Ernie Friedlander was at the age of nine saved by a German soldier who helped him and his mother escape from being transported to a concentration camp. The rest of his family were killed.

“I learned not to dwell on the past, but to see light going into the darkness of my past,” he said.

“It is important that we move on and appreciate what Australia has to offer, Australia is a very good country, and we got to appreciate it.

“What’s happening now is actually an attack on Western society … we don’t realise at this stage the danger of destabilisation which is taking place, it’s an attack on democracy, so we need to consolidate and be aware and wake up to the danger that we are facing in Australia.

“You know what is important? Not to discriminate, not to stereotype people, because that is very important, again, because racism is destructive.

“We shouldn’t pick on individuals, we should see the individual as a human being.”