I am in Florida for a long weekend with my wife. We walked into the Beth David synagogue in Palm Beach Springs for a Yom Hashoah observance which we heard was taking place. There was a small turnout of people reading names out loud, the entire day, of those who perished. My wife and I were asked to read names for 20 minutes. Not knowing my past, we were handed a list of names to read of those who perished from Romania in Transnistria. Irony or coincidence? I included names of my mother’s brother – Leopold End, her father – Lazar End, and her step mother -Sali End.

We should never forget. I have been told that one can forgive without reconciling. Perhaps I will try this one day. Perhaps.

May the blessed memories of those who perished never depart.

Stephen Winters