Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney formally recognized Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) in a recent letter to fellow mayors and encouraged them to “proclaim and celebrate JAHM in cities across the nation this May.”
In commemoration of this important declaration, the Weinstein JCC, in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, the Virginia Holocaust Museum and Congregation Beth Ahabah will present, “We Jews Collect Passports: Why this American Rabbi Decided to Reclaim her German Citizenship” on Sunday, May 7 at 4 p.m. at the Weinstein JCC.
According to the German government, victims of persecution by the Nazi regime who were forcibly deprived of their German nationality and their descendants can be re-naturalized in Germany.
Richmond native and former Congregation Beth Ahabah congregant, Rabbi Beth Janus, was eligible to partake in this unique opportunity. In this program, Beth will share her journey to obtaining German Citizenship.
In addition, Beth, along with special guests, Neils Von Redecker, Consul General and Legal Advisor with the German Embassy, Inge Windmueller Horowitz, German-born Jew who emigrated to the United States as a child, and Beth’s daughter, Nami Lieberman, will participate in a panel discussion.
It will be moderated by Basya Gartenstein, Director of the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations.
Through presentation and discussion, we hope to answer these questions:
- After almost 80 years after the Holocaust, what is our relationship with Germany?
- Can we forgive? Should we forgive?
- What should our response be to the Germans who attempt reconciliation?
- What can we learn about our own Jewish identities?
The event is a free, in-person event that is open to the community. Livestream option is also available.
RSVP at weinsteinjcc.org.
