Last Sunday’s presentation, Where the Holocaust Came to America, was one of those programs that lingers in your heart and mind long after the event has ended. Paul Lear masterfully brought to life the story of the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter in Oswego, the only place in the United States that welcomed Holocaust refugees during World War II. Through his engaging storytelling and remarkable depth of knowledge, many of us left with a greater appreciation for this little-known chapter of both Jewish and American history.

As often happens after meaningful learning, the conversation continued after the presentation ended. Several attendees asked what was being done to preserve Fort Ontario and ensure that future generations would continue to learn its extraordinary story. I promised I would find out.

As it happens, our congregation has a unique connection to this effort. My oldest son, Zev, serves as Legislative Director for Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, who introduced H.R. 1031, the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act. I asked Zev to share an update with our congregation, and one sentence in particular struck me:

“As we see increasing antisemitism, it is critical that we continue to educate the next generation about the Holocaust and preserve places that connect Americans to the history and lessons of the Holocaust.”

Those words beautifully capture why so many of us were moved by Sunday’s program. This effort is about far more than preserving historic buildings. It is about preserving memory.

Zev shared that the legislation passed the United States Senate unanimously last December and continues to face its greatest challenge in the House of Representatives. The bill is currently awaiting action in the House Natural Resources Committee, where legislation creating new National Park sites has proven difficult to advance. Despite those challenges, Congresswoman Tenney and her staff remain committed to seeing the bill become law.

If you were inspired by Sunday’s presentation, you have an opportunity to lend your voice. Congresswoman Tenney’s office has invited members of our community to share messages of thanks and encouragement. Those messages may be emailed to Michael Stadelmaier at Michael.Stadelmaier@mail.house.gov, and they will be shared directly with the Congresswoman. And if you have family or friends who are represented by members of the House Natural Resources Committee, the committee where the bill is currently awaiting consideration, encouraging them to contact their representatives can help underscore the importance of preserving this unique chapter of American and Jewish history.

Our tradition’s commandment to zachor, to remember, is not simply to recall the past, but to allow memory to shape our future. Last Sunday reminded us that remembrance is an active responsibility. May we continue to tell these stories, preserve these sacred places, and ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.

Shabbat Shalom, With love, Rabbi Shara