Assembly honors Holocaust survivors

DOWNEY - Assemblyman Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) recently honored a couple from Whittier who survived the Nazi Holocaust and became pillars in the community and at Temple Ner Tamid of Downey.Howard and Miriam Brookfield joined Mendoza on the floor of the Assembly on April 27 to be recognized as survivors during the annual Holocaust Memorial Ceremony held in the state's Capitol. The ceremony coincided with the Yom HaShoah Remembrance Day that is observed every April 27. The ceremony concluded with the signing of the Assembly's Holocaust Memorial Book. "That is one way we have to remind ourselves of the terrible atrocities that took place over 60 years ago and remain significant in ensuring it never happens again," Mendoza said. "For some, the Holocaust is ancient history. To survivors like the Brookfields, it remains an ever present part of their lives. Their story is powerful and humbling, and should be shared with others." Howard and Miriam Brookfield were both born in Germany and were part of the 1938 roundup of Jews by the Nazis. They met in San Francisco in 1952 and will celebrate 56 years of marriage this August. They are both active in the Downey synagogue, where they recently purchased a Torah (Five Books of Moses) and donated it to the Temple. This is the sixth year members of the Assembly have honored Holocaust survivors.

********** Published: June 26, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 10