Nazi Convert to Speak at Emunah Holocaust Event 3/12/08

Liesel Appel, daughter of Hitler’s Minister of Education in Poland, and a convert to Judaism, will be the keynote speaker at Emunah of America’s Annual Holocaust Commemoration, scheduled for Wednesday evening, March 26th at 7:30 P.M. at Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue Synagogue. This year’s event celebrates “The Power of Good” during the holocaust, honoring the rescuers, liberators, and heroes who provided pinpoints of light during the darkest of times, and were responsible for saving the lives of tens of thousands of Jews. Liesel Appel will bear stark testimony to the theme of light borne from darkness, as she is emblematic of a little known phenomenon -- children of Nazis who converted to Judaism. In addition to Ms. Appel’s address, a musical interlude with internationally renowned chazzan, Cantor Joseph Malovany, will enhance the proceedings, together with another musical program, featuring Elliot Weiss, talented vocalist. Original music is composed by Cecelia Margules and Rami Yadid. Also showcased at the event will be the reading of the winning literary compositions in EMUNAH’s annual Holocaust essay contest in which yeshiva elementary, high school and college students participate from across the New York area. The contest represents EMUNAH’s commitment to heighten holocaust awareness among younger people, now two or three generations removed from the nightmarish worlds of their relatives. Admission to the event, chaired by Cecelia Margules, is free of charge, but donations to EMUNAH are welcomed. For further information, please call the EMUNAH office at 212-564-9045. EMUNAH maintains 250 social welfare and educational facilities in Israel which reach out to that country’s underprivileged and immigrant population.