This year’s speaker will be Dr. Sol Messinger of Buffalo.  As a child, Dr. Messinger and his family tried to escape Nazi Germany by heading for Cuba on the ship, The St. Louis.  The passengers on the liner had legitimate entry visas, but were refused entry when they reached port and were then returned to Europe.  The Messinger family was taken to Belgium, later making their way to France.  After three months in Savignac, France, they were sent to a detention camp from which they were rescued by the French resistance.  They ultimately made their way to the United States.  Most of the refugees who had traveled aboard The St. Louis lost their lives because they were denied safe haven.  Dr. Messinger will share his experience of survival.

There will be reflective readings and music in addition to Dr. Messinger’s presentation.

As in past years, the CPJ supports this area tradition.  All are encouraged to attend this event which honors the memory of those killed due to Nazi atrocities. 

For more information about this event, contact Linda Dunn, Chairperson of the InterfaithHolocaust Committee of  Chautauqua County at 679-7261.  For more detail about Dr. Messinger’s life and a photo from 1939, see http://www.holocaustcenterbuff.com.