Philanthropist brings Sole Israeli Survivor of "Voyage of the Damned" to US State Dept Ceremony

Sept. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- September 10, 2012

PRESS RELEASE
PHILANTHROPIST BRINGS SOLE ISRAELI SURVIVOR OF “VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED” TO US DEPARTMENT OF STATE CEREMONY
Immigrant from Europe to Israel, Israeli war veteran, surviving passenger of the SS St Louis, Michael Barak’s story is one of hope, fear, survival, pride.  As the last living survivor from Israel he is joining fellow survivors from the SS St Louis at a ceremony on September 24, 2012 at the US Department of State.  Diplomats and ambassadors will honor their indominatable spirit and send the moral message that human rights means making choices of conscience.  Howard Kaye, Boca Raton philanthropist and businessman is sponsoring Michael Barak’s trip to this historic event.  Kaye has a long standing commitment to the survivors of the SS St Louis tragedy.  In 2009 he sponsored and was the moral force behind the 70th anniversary commemorative event to honor the surviving passengers of the SS St Louis.  During that ceremony Kaye sponsored 33 surviving passengers from around the world.  Leaders of major organizations received the passenger signed US Senate Resolution 111 acknowledging the United State’s role in the tragedy of the SS St Louis.  In preparation for the historic events in Washington DC Howard Kaye generously stepped forward and in doing so commented: “to have Michael Barak attend this event at the US Department of State highlights the importance of Israel in the life of the worldwide Jewish community.  There was no State of Israel in June 1939 when the passengers of the SS St Louis were refused safe harbor by the US, Cuba and Canada. There was no final place of refuge for Jews.  Michael is the only surviving passenger living in Israel and his presence on this historic occasion carries a symbolism which touches the life of Jews everywhere.

Michael was four years old when he and his parents boarded the SS St Louis in Hamburg, Germany.  His uncle had already immigrated to the United States and his father made arrangements to leave Germany and head to safety.  Once turned away from Cuba, the US and Canada, the ship returned to Europe landing in Antwerp, Belgium.  From there Michael and his family were sent to Holland, one of the four countries which agreed to take the passengers, rescuing them from Nazi persecution.  The family was sent to Westerbork, a Dutch camp which was seized by the Nazis when the Germans invaded Holland in 1941.  In 1944 Michael and his family were sent to Theresienstadt where his father was killed and he lived on stolen leftovers from the garbage of the German kitchen.  He and his mother survived and were finally rescued by the Russian army which loaded the refugees onto trucks where they were deported to Holland.  American army crews took over the truck caravan and moved the refugees into Maastricht camp.  After living with a Dutch family and going to a Jewish children’s home in Holland, Michael and his mother received certificates from the British administration in Palestine to make aliyah where they arrived in March 1946.  His new life began.  Subsequently, Michael served in the Israeli military in the Sinai war in 1956, the six day war in 1967, the Yom Kippur war in 1973 as a wireless operator and Sargeant in the Israeli Navy.  His training in electronics served him well as he became employed by Telefunken, and eventually started his own electronics laboratory.  Since 2001 Michael has been the editor of Israeli Radio Amateur Magazine.  His indominitable spirit gives us all pride says Howard Kaye.
Now, 73 years since the sailing of the SS St Louis, the US State Department, under the leadership of Secretary of State Clinton, will welcome a delegation of the survivors at an historic ceremony on September 24, 2012.  The event, according to Michael Posner, Assistant Secretary of State, will “demonstrate this Administration’s commitment to preventing genocide, fighting hatred, and standing up for all forms of Human Rights.  Highlighting the theme of “not leaving our conscience at the door when we come to work,” this program demonstrates the sometimes unintended consequences of government decisions not grounded in protecting Human Rights and advancing American values.”
The September 24 ceremony will include:
•   A ceremony honoring the passengers and their special contributions to American society
•   A theatrical performance of Robert Krakow’s provocative play, The Trial of Franklin D Roosevelt, directed by one of America’s most talented directors, Eleanor Holdridge
•   A ceremony in which the passengers present a Proclamation of Appreciation to the ambassadors of France, England, Belgium and Holland, the countries that granted them safe haven when they were forced to return to Europe
•   The donation of Senate Resolution 111 to the US Department of State Archives will be dedicated to the memory of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke.  This resolution passed by the US Senate in May 2009, bears the original signatures of 35 passengers and represents te only US acknowledgement of the failure to assist Jewish refugees during the pre-war and wartime period.
Preceding this historic ceremony, on Sunday September 23, 2012, a reception honoring the passengers and their CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Washington, DC.  The reception entitled” BECOME A WITNESS TO HISTORY” will feature special guests Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat and US Department of State Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, Hannah Rosenthal.  
The SS St Louis Legacy Project, Inc. is a Boca Raton based not for profit foundation whose mission is to bring” education through drama” presentations to universities, high schools, and communities throughout the country.  The Foundation creates dialogue and discussions on the critical issues facing contemporary America such as human rights, refugee policy, and racism.  The powerful docudrama programs create excitement and interest for audiences and address the current need for new methods of educating the student whose attention span has been challenged by society’s hyper speed media environment.  The Foundation’s recent educational programs, including theatrical performances at Georgetown University and Creighton University, included a panel of surviving passengers who discussed their views on the moral dilemma and human rights implications of the denial of safe haven by the United States as well as their contributions to American society since their entry to the country following the war.

For further information on these historic events and how you can support the SS St Louis Legacy Project,  contact Ruth Ann Kalish, Vice President SS St Louis Legacy Project, 954 592 5072 and visit stlouislegacyproject.org