In honor of Holocaust Days of Remembrance week, which will be observed from April 16 to April 23, I’m sharing the first article I ever wrote about the Holocaust. It was motivated by my mother, who didn’t want to die before publicly thanking Sweden and Denmark for their life-saving rescue efforts and incredible generosity during World War II.
Read MoreToday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day—a day to remember and pay tribute to the millions of victims of the Holocaust and reaffirm our commitment to always stand firm against all forms of racism and prejudice.
Read More“A hero is one who heals their own wounds and then shows others how to do the same.” —Yung Pueblo
This quote from the best-selling author and poet, Yung Pueblo, makes me think of two very special men: my beloved father, Mendek Rubin, and my dear friend, Bill Harvey, who passed away on March 31, less than two months shy of his 98th birthday.
Read MoreLast week, I wrote about my aunt Bronia’s 90-minute private meeting with President Biden on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. I was very moved by the many people who reached out to let me know how touched they were by the story. Those emails validated that the event was not only incredible for our family—it was also deeply healing for others as well.
Read MoreLast Thursday, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a dream came true for my 90-year-old aunt Bronia—she was able to share her life story with the President of the United States of America.
Read MoreYesterday, January 27th, was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. As I’ve been honoring my four grandparents and dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins who were murdered at Auschwitz, I’ve been pondering the possibility of true progress in this world.
Read MoreI’ve been reading a wonderful book, Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm, by Thich Nhat Hanh, the extraordinarily wise Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist. Much of Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings revolve around the benefits of mindfulness, and he emphasizes the importance of regularly bringing that deep attention to our fear.
Read MoreDays of Remembrance for victims of the Holocaust falls on April 8th this year. During its first commemoration in 1979, President Carter spoke these powerful words: “We must remember the terrible price paid for bigotry and hatred, and also the terrible price paid for indifference and for silence… We must recognize that when any fellow human being is stripped of humanity—when any person is turned into an object of repression; tortured or defiled or victimized by terrorism or prejudice or racism—then all human beings are victims, too.”
Read MoreInternational Holocaust Remembrance Day will be observed on January 27 to honor the six million European Jews who were exterminated by the Nazis and their accomplices. These official remembrance days are of tremendous importance, but I personally never need a reminder. As the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, a day doesn’t go by when I don’t think about that horrific time in history. The Holocaust lives inside of me, and my whole being is perpetually trying to come to terms with it.
Read MoreNo matter our age, we must never stop trying to uncover the ways we have been taught to hate and fear. We must also work towards developing more tolerance, acceptance and generosity—as well as the bravery and determination to take a stand for justice. Honest and self-aware people like Joe Jedeikin are helping move the world in the right direction, and I feel very grateful that he has shared his story and wisdom with the world.
Read MoreA few months ago, I participated in a wonderful online event with the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles for Quest for Eternal Sunshine. Afterwards, the museum let me know that a Holocaust survivor and frequent lecturer at the museum—a man named William Harvey—wanted to connect with me.
Read MoreWith the impending release of Quest for Eternal Sunshine, I want to shower gratitude on my sister, Ruthie. Ruthie believes this book is our dad’s dream come true, and I want to be sure everyone knows that it could never have happened without her.
Read MoreToday, International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz— the place where most of Myra’s extended family was murdered. As a second generation survivor who steeped herself in that terrible time during the writing of Quest for Eternal Sunshine, Myra felt compelled to add her voice, as well as her father’s wisdom, to the conversation.
Read More
