As we write this newsletter, we, along with Jews in Israel and around the world, are relieved to see news of the recently released hostages and are anxiously awaiting the continued release of those who remain in captivity.



And yet, life goes on, as this month we celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the new year for trees. Like trees, people are nurtured by deep roots. The Generations After is dedicated to commemorating the legacy of our roots—our ancestors—through special programs, education, and social networking. We honor in particular those ancestors who perished in the Holocaust as well as those who survived. We hope that you have been able to honor survivors by participating in some of the recently held International Holocaust Remembrance Day events. Additionally, we are proud that a number of our Speakers' Bureau members shared their family stories in recognition of this important day.

Gen After continues to develop new programs for 2025. The theme uniting these programs is “Connections”—between people, generations, and communities. At least one of the programs will be another joint effort between Gen After and our Israeli counterpart, Dorot HaHemshech. Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, please see below for this month’s and upcoming activities.

Shelli Klein,

President

Olimpia Nowicka-Sulla,

Vice-President

UPCOMING: Speakers' Bureau Meeting, Sunday, February 23, 11:00 AM

RSVP to receive the Zoom link to our next meeting.

During January, Gen After members spoke to more than 900 individuals, sharing our family stories in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The audiences included middle, high school, college students; visitors to the USHMM; and guests of the American Bar Association’s Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice. Yasher koach to our speakers including the following who reported their speaking engagements to us: Frank Cohn (survivor), Richard Foltin, Sheri Heller, Dena Hirsh, Gayle Nadler, Paula Schuster, Pauline Steinhorn, Jacob Tenenbaum, and Irvin Varkonyi.

To refer organizations looking for a speaker,

please send them the Request a Speaker link.

RECAP: Gen After Book Group

Our book group met on February 9 to discuss The Counterfeit Countess by Elizabeth B. White and Joanne Sliwa. The group engaged in a spirited conversation about the book, which tells the astonishing, little-known story of “Countess" Janina Suchodolska, a Jewish woman who posed as a non-Jewish countess and was able to rescue more than 10,000 Poles imprisoned by Poland’s Nazi occupiers.



Our next discussion will be held on March 30 at 11:00 AM via Zoom. Contact 2ndgenbookgroup@gmail.com for details and the book selection.

Join or Renew Your Gen After Membership

Join The Generations After or Renew Your Membership! Individual member dues are $36, and family memberships are $54. Your generous support will help us keep you and the 2G community engaged and informed and ensure that the legacy of the Shoah is never forgotten.

Sign up, donate, or

send your check to:

Send your Gen After Newsletter Items by the 15th of Every Month

Do you know of an event or news item that the Generations After community needs to learn about? Please email it by the 15th of the month along with a very short description to genafter@genafterdc.org. Our Communication Committee will review it and, if possible, publish it in the upcoming issue.

- Around the Community -

UPCOMING: Supportive Connection for 2Gs, Monthly, 7:00 PM ET

Second Generation descendants of Holocuast survivors are invited to join monthly gatherings facilitated by Dr. Irit Felsen and Dr. Jenni Frumer. These sessions, hosted by Holocaust Learning Experience, are more than meetings—they are a safe, informal space for connection, mutual support, and engaging dialogue. Each gathering offers a chance to unite with others who share a unique bond, exchange meaningful insights, and strengthen our collective resilience. February–June dates and Zoom link registration.

UPCOMING: International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025

January 27–April 27, 80 for 80 Stories From Auschwitz

Teach the Shoah will present 80 recordings of storytellers sharing experiences of Auschwitz survivors during the 80-day period from International Holocaust Remembrance Day to Yom HaShoah. The project marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The presenters are individuals who have taken one or more Teach the Shoah training classes, including some of Gen After's Speakers' Bureau members. Eligible speakers should contact Lynne@teachtheshoah.org to participate. The stories will be posted daily on the TtS website, Facebook page, and Instagram.

February 1–May 10, 2025, Coming Out of Hiding Art Exhibit

Sponsored by SHIN DC and MJAM at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, 1811 R ST NW, Washington, DC. Details.

UPCOMING: Connecting Stories and Legacies, February 11, 6:00 PM ET

Join ADL Education, Echoes & Reflections, renowned author Gordon Korman, and Rachelle Goldstein of the Hidden Child Foundation for a webinar that delves into the role of storytelling in understanding antisemitism—past and present. Read about the speakers and register for the Zoom link.

UPCOMING: Local Series on Combating Antisemitism

Beth Sholom, Har Shalom, B’nai Israel, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and JCRC are partnering to present a three-part series focused on antisemitism in the workplace and on campus. Sign up for each of the two remaining sessions, which will be held 8:00 - 9:30 PM:

Part 2: March 19, Congregation Har Shalom, Potomac, MD. Register.

Part 3: April 3, Beth Sholom Congregation, Potomac, MD. Register.

UPCOMING: Purim Greetings for Service Members

Many survivors joined the military as they began their new lives after the Holocaust. The PJ Library invites you to make Purim cards, baked goods, and mishloach manot packages for service members now serving across the U.S. and around the world. Please plan to send cards, baked goods, and packages so they arrive in Rochester, NY, the week of February 24 in order to have sufficient time to reach soldiers. For questions, contact jewishsoldiersproject@gmail.com. Mail to:

Jewish Soldiers Project

C/O Judge Keith Freedman

152 Green Meadow Drive

Rochester, NY 14617

UPCOMING: Yom Ha'Shoah v'Hagvurah, April 27, 2025, 2:00 PM ET

Mark your calendars for the Annual Holocaust Commemoration. Organized under the auspices of the Jewish Federation and JCRC, the program will once again be held in person as well as online. The location will be the Bender JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville. Register.

SAVE THE DATE: WFJHS&D 35th Annual Conference

World Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors & Descendants

September 12-15, 2025

Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel, Paris, France

To mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Europe and the end of World War II, WFJHS&D will hold its 35th annual conference with its partners, Mémorial de la Shoah, the Kindertransport Association, and Generations of the Shoah International. We invite you to join us for this momentous event. 



Check the WFJHS&D website for updates.

- Ongoing Activities -

Gen After Remember a Child Program

Are there b'nai mitzvah coming up in the family?

The Remember A Child (RAC) program pairs adult and young b'nai mitzvah students with children murdered during the Shoah before they were able to have a bar or bat mitzvah. Participants receive a scroll of remembrance, biography, and links for additional information about their child. More than 800 b'nai mitzvah students have enriched their milestone simcha by participating in this meaningful program. Contact RAC Coordinator Barbara Brandys at rac@genafterdc.org for information or visit the RAC website page.

Holocaust Survivors–The Last Generation

Child survivors meet the third Sunday of each month. Join the Zoom call or contact Ayana Touval for more information.

3GDC Group

Learn about DC, Maryland, and Virginia 3rd Generation activities on the 3G Facebook page.

Resources to Address Antisemitism

Listing of several organizations that can assist in addressing antisemitic incidents.

Jewish Records Indexing-Poland (JRI-Poland)

JRI-Poland seeks volunteers to help make important family records available. Contact volunteers@jri-poland.org.

Arolsen Archive Project "Every Name Counts"

“Every Name Counts” aspires to make available every name contained in the online archive. Help digitize names into the massive and vital Arolsen Archive. Learn more at the Arolsen Archive website or #everynamecounts.

Generations of the Shoah, International (GSI)

GSI newsletters list hundreds of Holocaust-related events, conferences, lectures, books, and resources from around the world at www.genshoah.org.

Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR)

JFR supports those who rescued Jewish victims during the Shoah. Learn more and sign up for newsletters.