Neighbors and friends gathered at Holocaust Memorial Park in Sheepshead Bay on Sunday, August 30th, for the Association of East-European Jewry’s (AEEJ) 23rd Annual Remembrance Day, “No One Is Forgotten — Nothing Is Forgotten,” honoring the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and those killed in the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel. The annual ceremony was led by AEEJ President Bella Gubenko, in coordination with her daughter, Svetlana Gubenko.
The gathering brought together Holocaust survivors, World War II veterans, families, elected officials, community leaders, representatives of the Consulate General of Israel and members of the community.
The program opened with a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Israeli National Anthem, including the presentation of American and Israeli flags, remarks by Holocaust survivors, a moment of silence, memorial candles and the release of white doves symbolizing remembrance, hope and peace.
A major theme throughout the ceremony was the importance of remembering the Holocaust while confronting antisemitism and hatred today.
Among the dignitaries and officials participating in the remembrance ceremony were Eyal David, deputy consul general of Israel in New York; Alexander Gurevich, representative of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez; State Senators Steve Chan and Jessica Scarcella-Spanton; Assemblymen Michael Novakhov, Alec Brook-Krasny and William Colton; representatives of NYC Comptroller Mark Levine; Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Peers; Ari Kagan, senior advisor to Senator Chan and AEEJ co-founder; representatives of COJECO and other community organizations; and other community and government representatives who joined in honoring the victims and supporting the AEEJ’s annual remembrance tradition.
David told those gathered that remembrance “cannot remain passive,” calling on the community to stand against antisemitism and bigotry. “It’s a collective duty for all of us,” he said, while honoring Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans as an inspiration to future generations. Also in attendance was Rabbi Zalman Liberow and his wife, Chana, of Chabad-House of Flatbush.
Chan emphasized the importance of the memorial site to the local community. “This memorial park may not be the biggest, it may not be the grandest, but it’s ours,” Chan said, describing it as “sacred space” for reflection on the tragedies of history.
Novakhov also addressed the rise of antisemitism and the need to defend Jewish life and Israel. He presented citations recognizing Bella Gubenko and AEEJ leadership for their work preserving Jewish heritage and serving the community.
The ceremony also featured the awards presentation for winners and participants in the 15th Annual International Youth Contest, “Never Again!” — underscoring the event’s emphasis on passing Holocaust memory and its lessons to younger generations.
As speakers repeatedly stressed throughout the ceremony, the message of the day remained clear: No one is forgotten, and nothing is forgotten.
