When the “Free Gaza” ship recently broke through Israel’s blockade of Gaza to deliver much needed medical aid, the passengers included committed activists of all ages, nationalities and professions. There was one, however, whose personal history made her a particularly remarkable passenger: Hedy Epstein, Holocaust survivor, human rights activist and dedicated campaigner against Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people.
Ms Epstein was invited to speak in Lancaster by the Lancaster Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which works to raise awareness of daily life for Palestinians living under occupation.
Hedy Epstein (née Wachenheimer) was born 15 August 1924 in Freiburg, Germany. In 1939, at the age of fourteen, Hedy left Germany for England as part of a Kindertransport group. Her parents and relatives were deported on 22 October 1940 to Camp de Gurs, a concentration camp in what was then Vichy France.
Although Hedy received letters from her parents for the next two years, all communication ceased after May, 1942 when Hedy’s family was sent to Auschwitz and she never saw her parents or relatives again. Hedy spent the rest of the war in England, but headed back to Germany afterwards to work for the American government. She immigrated to the US in 1948 and soon became an active campaigner for civil and human rights and social justice.
Some of her causes have included fair housing, abortion rights, and antiwar activities. As a peace delegate, Hedy journeyed to Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Cambodia in 1989.
Hedy Epstein has visited the Israeli Occupied West Bank five times since 2003, to witness daily life and to support Palestinians in their peaceful struggle against the occupation. She has participated in several non-violent demonstrations, together with Israelis, Palestinians & other internationals, in opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land, the 25-foot high cement wall, and the demolition of Palestinian homes and olive orchards.
Hedy Epstein is a truly remarkable person and an inspirational speaker, who began speaking to audiences in 1970. Her topics include her Nazi Holocaust experiences, her work at the Nuremberg Medical Trial and her numerous trips to Palestine. Equally conversant in English and German, she has spoken in the US, Germany, and Austria to audiences of schoolchildren, college students, and adults.
Following her lecture there will be chance to meet her at a reception in the Cathedral Social Centre where Palestinian olive oil and other Palestinian fair trade goods will be available.
Admission to Ms Epstein’s talk is free; there will be a retiring collection in aid of the “Free Gaza” ships.
The Palestinian Solidarity Group, which was founded after one member returned from working with an international human rights group in the West Bank, organizes regular events including films, guest speakers and workshops. A day school held last summer enabled direct discussion with Palestinians in major cities across the West Bank through live video links. Regular fund raising nights are also held, most recently to raise money for “Medical Aid for Palestinians”.
• For more information about this or other events at St Peter’s Cathedral, please phone the Cathedral Events Co-ordinator on 01524 384820
Links
• Hedy Epstein’s Official Web Site
• For more information on the “Free Gaza” campaign and the “Free Gaza” ship, please go to www.freegaza.org
• For more information on the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, please go to: www.palestinecampaign.org.uk
More about Hedy
• Before the Holocaust – Hedy’s family in Germany before the Holocaust
• The Concentration Camps – Hedy’s family in camps in France and Auschwitz, after Hedy was sent to England
• The Nuremberg Trials / Medical Trial ~ Hedy’s experience as a research analyst after World War II
• Holocaust History Project
• A Teacher’s Guide to the Holocaust