Ruth Steinfeld, right, at The March of Remembrance
The Jan. 26 event in Kingwood, Texas, featured a Legacy Luncheon, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Holocaust Garden of Hope’s newest exhibit and a powerful commemorative walk.
The Holocaust Garden of Hope is a unique open-air exhibit located along Lake Houston in Kingwood. Set in nature, this living memorial is dedicated to educating visitors and fostering meaningful conversations about resilience, courage and the importance of standing against injustice.
Highlights of the program included moving testimony from Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld and remarks from Texas House Rep. Charles Cunningham, Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul of Israel to the Southwest Elad Shoshan and other distinguished speakers. The commemoration also included performances, blessings and moments of reconciliation.
The program underscored the global mission of remembrance, reconciliation and standing against hate. It also fostered a sense of local and global connection to ensure the lessons of the past guide a more just and hopeful future.
“This year, more than ever, we must focus on understanding the virtue of fighting against hate and speaking up against antisemitism,” Consul Shoshan said.
Steinfeld, a renowned educator and recipient of the French Legion of Honor, shared her personal story of survival.
“The last time I ever saw my mom was her waving goodbye to me from the back of the bus. … Now, I have three daughters, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren,” she said.
The program concluded with the March of Remembrance – a symbolic act that united participants in solidarity, echoing the global mission of remembrance, reconciliation and standing against antisemitism.
Through the March of Remembrance and its associated events, the Holocaust Remembrance Association continues to connect communities locally and globally, fostering a message of hope, education and action for a brighter future. For information about the March of Remembrance or the Holocaust Remembrance Association, go to HRA18.org or contact Rozalie Jerome, RozalieJ@hra18.org.
