Australia to host first-ever Holocaust Survivors' Reunion at NSW Parliament in response to rising anti-Semitism since October 7 terror attacks
Australia will host its first-ever Holocaust Survivors' Reunion in the hope that it will become an annual event.
The reunion is the brainchild of survivor Eddy Boas in response to rising antisemitism since the October 7 terror attacks on Israel in 2023.
Mr Boas says he hopes up to 150 survivors will attend the in-person lunch at NSW Parliament on June 1, while others will be able to join via Zoom.
The 85-year-old, who survived the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp as a child, said he came up with the idea early last year after seeing unprecedented levels of antisemitism in his adopted country.
'Holocaust survivors were in angst and I can tell you, I don't get scared too often in life, but I started to think about all this antisemitism that suddenly broke out in Australia, which I would have never expected in my life to see,' Mr Boas told Sky News.
'I know what antisemitism is all about. I had never experienced antisemitism [before] in Australia.'
Australia has one of the largest communities of Holocaust survivors in the world – about 35,000 emigrated here in the aftermath of World War II.
Last year, there were 2,500 living survivors recorded in Australia, according to the Claims Conference, a non-profit which helps secure compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world.
Mr Boas says while states have held smaller events for survivors, it's his understanding that this is the first national reunion of its kind.
And one surprising topic will be off the table.
'One of the things that I made sure of, we were not going to talk about the Holocaust,' Mr Boas said.
'I want this to be a joyful luncheon. We all know about the Holocaust.
'Let's celebrate living in Australia. We've all – majority, I can't speak for everybody – have had a good life in Australia. I certainly have.
'I pretty well feel sure that most Holocaust survivors feel like I feel – that Australia, at one stage in our life, was the greatest country in the world.
'Unfortunately, today, with all this antisemitism going on and the [Federal] government not doing anything about it, no matter what they say, it's getting worse even today.'
The reunion is being supported by NSW Premier Chris Minns, who will give a speech alongside Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon.
'This will be an important opportunity for Holocaust survivors to reflect, to remember, and to reunite,' Mr Minns told Sky News.
'With the number of Holocaust survivors falling as each year passes, moments to come together like this take on an extra significance.
'Holocaust survivors have made major contributions to NSW, Australia and the world.
'Their stories of survival are as important today as they have ever been.'
Mr Boas says he is grateful for Mr Minns' support.
'We had a good talk about antisemitism and we had a talk about the luncheon,' Mr Boas said. 'He has allocated a grant to us to hold it, which I'm really pleased about. He is a terrific premier.'
Mr Boas urged survivors to contact the Australian Association of Holocaust Survivors if they have not yet received an invitation.
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