Purim is almost here, and we look forward to all aspects of its celebration: the reading of the megillah, Purim shpiels, children in costumes, and, of course, delicious hamantaschen. We remember how Queen Esther saved her people from the hateful antisemitism of the wicked Haman. How we wish we could say that antisemitism has been relegated to Queen Esther’s time, during the 5th century B.C.E. Unfortunately, as we are painfully aware, the message remains relevant today. We find strength, though, by remaining vigilant and staying connected as a community.

We are continually working on programs to keep us connected to our past and to our future. On March 23, we are offering a timely program focused on Jewish Ukraine. And our joint programs with our Israeli counterparts, Dorot HaHemshech, have been so well received that we are also planning another joint program on May 4. (See details further in this newsletter.) We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming programs!

Shelli Klein,

President

Olimpia Nowicka-Sulla,

Vice-President

UPCOMING: Jewish Ukraine, Sunday, March 23, 2025, 11:00 AM ET

Join us for a presentation on the history of the Jewish presence in Ukraine, from its beginnings until today. Vadim Altskan, Project Director of the International Archival Programs at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, is a historian specializing in East European, Balkan, and Jewish history. He will be sharing his knowledge and perspective with us about this fascinating and timely subject. RSVP to receive the Zoom link to this program.

UPCOMING: Book Group Meeting, March 30, 2025, 11:00 AM ET

The Dressmakers of Auschwitz, the Women Who Sewed to Survive by Lucy Adlington is the group's next choice.

The book is a powerful chronicle of 25 young female inmates of Auschwitz-Birkenau who used their sewing skills to survive the Holocaust, stitching beautiful clothes at an extraordinary fashion workshop in the concentration camp.

This workshop was established by Hedwig Höss, the camp commandant’s wife, and patronized by the wives of SS guards and officers. Here, the dressmakers produced high-quality garments for SS social functions in Auschwitz as well as for ladies from Nazi Berlin’s upper crust. The dressmakers, mostly Jews, hoped the work would spare them from the gas chambers. 

RSVP to 2ndgenbookgroup@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.

UPCOMING: 2G Chairs Shabbat Holocaust Commemoration, April 26

Yom HaShoah Shabbat Service and Commemoration

10:30 AM ET, Beth Sholom Congregation, 11825 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD

Gen After member Nira Berry is again chairing Beth Sholom's Holocaust remembrance event. Keynote speaker will be author Silvia Foti. Community survivors and descendants are invited to participate in the ceremony and register for the lunch that will be held after services. A speaker Q&A session will follow the lunch.

Details and registration will be posted on the Gen After calendar and Beth Sholom website as they become available.

UPCOMING: What Can We Learn From Our Survivor Parents? May 4

From Liberation to Rebirth:

What Can We Learn From Our Survivor Parents?

11:30 AM ET, on Zoom

We are excited to once again join with Israel's 2G organization, Dorot HaHemshech, in a program that touches all of us. Attendance will be limited since, after an introduction to the topic by Professor Hana Yablonka, participants will be sharing their thoughts in small virtual breakout rooms. Registration details will be posted in our next newsletter.

UPCOMING: Speakers' Bureau Meeting, May 18, 2025, 11:00 AM ET

Our February 23 meeting featured stories by two of our members. Anita Grosz, who lives in England, shared her father's story from his birth in Czechoslovakia to his escape from occupied Europe on the Kindertransport and eventual move to the U.S. Paula Schuster told her mother's story of constantly being on the run in Poland for two years, never staying in one place for more than a week. After the war, her mother discovered that two of her three brothers had survived, and they immigrated to the U.S.

The group continued to discuss how we address anti-Semitism post-October 7 in our talks. Genie Glucksman shared insights from a 3GNY presentation regarding strategies for effective Holocaust education presentations, focusing on preparation and engagement techniques. In order to combat anti-Israel sentiments, it was recommended that all members review information on the factual information of Israel’s history.

RSVP to receive the Zoom link to our next meeting. We will be discussing talks that our members have given in recognition of Yom HaShoah.

To refer organizations looking for a speaker,

please send them the Request a Speaker link.

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 Holocaust 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. March–June dates and Zoom link registration.

UPCOMING: International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025

Through 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.

Through 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: 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: Yom HaShoah 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.

UPCOMING: Commemorate the Mauthausen Liberation, May 11, 2025

This year marks 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp complex. The International Liberation Ceremony will take place on May 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial. The 2025 Ceremonies are dedicated to the theme, "Didn't we say never again?" View schedule and information or attend virtually.

The Ceremony and memorial procession will be preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony and joint liberation ceremony at the former roll call square. Individual commemorations at the concentration camp memorial site's monuments and plaques are possible until 10:00 AM and after the commemorative procession from about 1:30 PM. Mauthausen subcamp ceremonies will be held on May 9 and 10. Scroll down for registration information.

Tours will be offered for families of victims and survivors on Friday and Saturday. Contact the Mauthausen Committee for scheduling details. Additionally, family records can be requested by contacting the Education Department.

If you are planning to attend the memorial events in Austria and are interested in forming a delegation to represent the Generations After, email genafter@genafterdc.org.

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.