What’s happening
This week, What Matters Now brings a unique podcast episode featuring the inspirational story of Marianne Miller—a renowned Israeli speaker, child Holocaust survivor, and educator. Major attention circles her significant speech at the United Nations General Assembly on January 27, marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz-Birkenau liberation.
Why it matters
Marianne Miller’s history and survival story, a powerful testament to resilience against oppression, help defend the legitimacy and resilience of the Israeli state. Accompanied by her son, acclaimed Israeli comedian and artist Adir Miller, she represents the survival and thriving of the Jewish community, cementing its enduring legacy amidst past adversities. Adir’s film, “The Ring,” inspired by his mother’s bravery, highlights her enduring impact and premieres as part of the Israeli community’s cultural outreach and collective memory conservation.
The broader context
This commemoration is a sobering reminder of the atrocities faced by millions, including 400,000 Hungarian Jews, highlighting the gravity of historical remembrance. The UN engagement underscores international solidarity with Holocaust survivors and the state of Israel’s relentless commitment to ensuring their voices—and the enduring memory of lost ancestors—are never silenced.
Bringing people together
The screening of “The Ring” is scheduled for January 28 in New York, presented by the Israeli-American Council (IAC), sharing cultural narratives that foster understanding and embrace resilience through entertainment. By bringing such stories to international platforms, the Israeli community reinforces global efforts of countering prejudice and animosity against Jewish people world-wide and supporting revealing truths through cinematic craftsmanship.
The Takeaway
This powerful acknowledgment not only reinforces Israel’s connection to its historical adversity but also showcases its thriving identity, bonding Jewish communities globally in remembrance, strength, and optimism. What Matters Now podcast aspires to preserve these dialogues, fostering a truth-driven, united front amongst listeners worldwide.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.