Jewish Caucus Observes Yom HaShoah in the State Capitol

SACRAMENTO, CA – Yesterday, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus observed Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, in the State Capitol. The Caucus was joined by statewide elected officials and Jewish community leaders from across the state.  Members of the Caucus honored Holocaust survivors, or the children or grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, many of whom have assumed significant positions of Jewish community leadership or become changemakers embodying Tikkun Olam, the Jewish value of helping to repair the world. This year marked the first time since 2019 that survivors of the Holocaust could fully attend the Capitol events in person to be honored, due to challenges related to Covid-19. Honorees were selected because of their commitment to Tikkun Olam, or social justice, and their courage and resiliency. 

A Floor Ceremony was held in both chambers of the Legislature, with invocation by two Rabbis from California - Rabbi Paula Marcus, from Temple Beth El of Santa Cruz in the State Assembly, and Rabbi Batshir Torchio from the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco in the State Senate. Photographs from the Ceremony and reception will be available on the Jewish Caucus website. 

“Remembering the Holocaust is a sacred duty,” said Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), Co-Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus.  “‘Never again’ means a commitment to protect all communities and all people from the cruelty that was the Holocaust. That starts with remembering and learning about the brutality that was committed against the Jewish people. Two thirds of European Jews were annihilated by the Nazi regime, and the global Jewish population has not recovered in the 80 years since.  It is an honor to bear witness to the tragedy of the Shoah in California, home to the third largest Jewish population in the world, and a bastion of hope and progress at a time of rising anti-Semitic violence.

“Our obligation to recall the horrors of the Holocaust is more important than ever,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Woodland Hills), Co-Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. “In too many places, and especially for too many young people, the Holocaust is fading from view. At the same time, acts of antisemitism—and other forms of hatred and bigotry—are rising at an alarming rate. The Jewish Caucus is committed to strengthening Holocaust education in California, and we will continue to educate policymakers of all backgrounds about our shared responsibility to make sure nothing like the Holocaust happens ever again.”

“It was moving to have the survivors with us and hear their stories of not just surviving, but thriving even after experiencing one of mankind’s greatest evils,” said Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. “Together we create a sacred space that honors those who have been impacted by the Holocaust.  The Jewish Caucus and Jewish community educated and cultivated in remembrance of the Holocaust and other genocides as an integral part of promoting a world filled with loving kindness.  The horrors of this world can best be combated with loving remembrance and perseverance.”

A list of all honorees by Member follows:

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D - Morro Bay) honored Paul Wolff, a survivor.

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D - Orinda) honored Rita Clancy, a descendant of survivors.

Assemblymember Marc Berman (D - Menlo Park) honored Boris Kapilevich, a survivor.

Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D - Burbank) honored Leora Raikin, a descendant of survivors.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Encino) honored Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz of Valley Beth Shalom, the grandson of four Holocaust survivors.

Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D - Long Beach) honored Galina and Lev Kozelov,  two survivors.

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D - Santa Clara) honored Leonid and Olga Gershun, two survivors.

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D - Santa Monica) honored Beth Kean, a descendant of survivors.

Assemblymember Chris Ward (D - San Diego) honored Sandra Scheller, a descendant of survivors.

Senator Ben Allen (D - Santa Monica) honored Eva Nathonson, a survivor.

Senator Josh Becker (D - Menlo Park) honored Charles Stevens, a survivor.

Senator Steve Glazer (D - Contra Costa) honored Zelda Trzesniewski (z”l), a survivor.

Senator Josh Newman (D - Fullerton) honored Clifford Lester, a survivor.

Senator Susan Rubio (D - Baldwin Park) honored Lena Romano, a descendant of survivors.

Senator Henry Stern (D- Callabassass) honored Sidonia Lewin Lax (z”l), a survivor.

Senator Scott Wiener (D - San Francisco) honored Jennifer Fatalevich Rosenthal, a descendant of survivors.