Forty-one years ago, I composed a Holocaust cantata with the (purposefully) innocuous title “Childhood Memories.” Through narration and song, it tells the story of one survivor’s experience during those terrible years.
I wrote this work for a children’s choir I was conducting at a congregation in Lexington, Massachusetts. Hearing the music sung by sweet, innocent voices added to the emotional impact of the message.
The score and a professional recording reside in a number of Holocaust collections around the country and across the world.
Over the course of many years, “Childhood Memories” has been presented at synagogues, schools and Holocaust remembrance events.
Some five years ago, I was contacted by a Jewish community leader in Columbia, Maryland inquiring about obtaining permission to present the work at a Yom Hashoah event there. Of course I agreed, and it was adapted and enhanced with additional music, poetry and staging.
Last evening, I had the privilege of attending the latest iteration of “Childhood Memories” at an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz held in Columbia. A standing-room only audience of several hundred people heard messages of solidarity from local officials as well as the cantata.
It was a powerful moment for me, seeing my creation given a sensitive, yet dramatic interpretation. The singers and performers were somewhat older than my choirs which presented the work, yet the message was conveyed in an equally effective way.
I was especially moved when several of the performers approached me afterwards to share how learning and performing this piece has helped to shape their lives and their understanding of the imperative to “never forget.” They realize that all too soon, there will be no survivors left to tell the story and that they, as the next generation, must do so in order to insure that such a tragedy never happens again.
Tisha B’Av is the day when we recall not only the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, but also many subsequent tragedies which befell our people over the course of time. Because of the enormity of the Holocaust, it has its own commemorative day, Yom Hashoah V’hagevurah. Let’s hope that never again will we have reason to add another tragedy to our calendar.