One year after the renovation and re-opening of the Kal Shalom Synagogue of Kos, local authorities, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Greek Jewry and co-religionists from all over the world, were again this year in Kos, on 22.7.2024, to participate in the anniversary celebrations actions organized by the "Hippokratis" Civic Society, for the Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The events started with a visit to the Jewish cemetery, where the participants were welcomed by the General Treasurer of KISE and G.G. of I.K. Rhodes Daniel Benardout. The memorial service was conducted by David Bahar. The Most Reverend Metropolitan Nathanael of Kos spoke about the importance of commemorating the Holocaust. The event - which concluded with the laying of wreaths at the Monument and a hymn performed by the choir of I.K. Thessaloniki - was held in the presence of the Mayor of Kos Theodosis Nikitaras, the Parish of Kos and Nisyros Dina Svynos, the Ambassador of Germany Andreas Kindle, the Counselor of the Embassy of Israel Doron Lebovitz, the Philosopher Imam Irfan Trampa, the President of the Municipal Council of Kos and the President of the .E. "Hippocrates" Dionysias Tellis Tsimisiris, the Commander of the 80nd Police Directorate Brigadier Manolis Kazamias, the Commander of the 20 ADTE Brigadier Pavlos Andrikopoulos, the President of VAKUF Mr. Elvan Kotzaoglan, the President of KISE and IKTH David Saltiel, the Vice President of I.K. of Athens Moni Halegoa, of the President of I.K. Larissa Moysis Manouach, the President of I.K. Rhodes Claudia Resti, the representative of I.K. Corfu Annas Matathias – Anthi, and members of the I.K. Greece. The presence of 100 members of the Koon Jewish Menasseh family, who from Australia, the USA, Italy and Israel, returned to the birthplace of their ancestors was symbolic and moving. About XNUMX co-religionists from abroad also went to Kos - coming from Rhodes - who had attended the commemoration events in Rhodes the previous week. Among them, the Executive Vice President of the Claims Conference Greg Schneider, and Rachel Grunbaum, representative of the Samis Foundation of Seattle, USA.
[See here video from the event at the Jewish cemetery of Kos].
This year's activities continued with the main event at the Synagogue of Kos, where the participants were welcomed by the Scientific Director of A.E. Hippocrates, Dr. Dimitris Geroukalis.
The speeches of the officials followed. They spoke: The Mayor of Kos, the Prefect, the Ambassador of Germany, the Counselor of the Embassy of Israel, the President of KISE and the President of the Municipal Council of Kos and A.E. Hippocrates.
This was followed by the keynote speech by the historian and educator Meletis Meletopoulos, on the topic: "The history of the Holocaust and Anti-Semitism".
At the center of the speeches was the march of memory which depicts a collective effort to raise awareness towards the crime of the Holocaust and at the same time the responsibility for preserving the Memory in the younger generation.
Two sisters, survivors of the Holocaust, Matilda Menasse – Porat and Renata Menasse, shared with the public their memories of pre-occupation Kos and their tragic experiences of the Occupation.
The event (see here relevant video from the speeches in the Synagogue) concluded with the choir of I.K. Thessaloniki, and offering commemorative editions from S.A. Hippocrates to Officials and Orators.
*With data from news24.gr & aegeanews.gr
