International March of the Living mourns the passing of Sigmund Rolat, Holocaust Survivor, internationally known philanthropist and one of the founders of Polin: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
Sigmund Rolat joined us on the 2015 March of the Living where he delivered his eloquent remarks at the conclusion of the March of the Living in Auschwitz-Birkenau on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
His deeply moving speech, delivered to 10,000 young people and survivors, appeared in both Polish and English media around the world, and in more than 50 newspapers.
Sigmund Rolat gave the young Marchers four reasons to remember the Shoah: Solidarity with the victims, ensuring the victims’ memories live on, and prevention of future genocides. His final reason was gratitude toward the Righteous Among the Nations who risked their lives to save Jews during the Shoah. Gratitude “to those Poles who – like my Elka – risked their lives to save Jews from the chimneys of Auschwitz. From the ghetto walls of Czestochowa. From the abyss. And our gratitude toward them is the fourth reason to remember.” Read Speech
During a speech to March of the Living students at the University of Warsaw attending the 2015 March, Rolat said. “You have no idea how proud I am of you. I speak in the name of all my friends who cannot be here, who lost their lives…and I can tell you, they are also proud of you. After all, it’s we who say ‘Lador Vador’ (From generation to generation). And our generation, and those after us, will always remember.”
One of the key initiators of Polin: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Sigmund Rolat supported the renaissance of Jewish life in Poland and encouraged the fostering of harmonious relations between Poles and Jews. March of the Living groups include the award winning Warsaw museum on all of their visits to Poland, and were among the first organized delegations to visit the museum when it first opened in 2013. Watch Video
Sigmund Rolat will forever be remembered for his generosity, optimism and desire to build bridges between Jews and Poles and all people – despite losing his entire immediate family in the Holocaust. May his life and noble deeds be an example to us all.
May his memory always be a blessing.
View musical composition “Six”, inspired by the bravery of Sigmund Rolat, composed by Tali Katz grandchild of Holocaust survivors. Tali participated in the 2018 March of the Living together with her mother Eynat Katz, a participant in the very first March of the Living in 1988.
International March of the Living mourns the passing of Sigmund Rolat, Holocaust Survivor, internationally known philanthropist and one of the founders of Polin: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
Sigmund Rolat joined us on the 2015 March of the Living where he delivered his eloquent remarks at the conclusion of the March of the Living in Auschwitz-Birkenau on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
His deeply moving speech, delivered to 10,000 young people and survivors, appeared in both Polish and English media around the world, and in more than 50 newspapers.
Sigmund Rolat gave the young Marchers four reasons to remember the Shoah: Solidarity with the victims, ensuring the victims’ memories live on, and prevention of future genocides. His final reason was gratitude toward the Righteous Among the Nations who risked their lives to save Jews during the Shoah. Gratitude “to those Poles who – like my Elka – risked their lives to save Jews from the chimneys of Auschwitz. From the ghetto walls of Czestochowa. From the abyss. And our gratitude toward them is the fourth reason to remember.” Read Speech
During a speech to March of the Living students at the University of Warsaw attending the 2015 March, Rolat said. “You have no idea how proud I am of you. I speak in the name of all my friends who cannot be here, who lost their lives…and I can tell you, they are also proud of you. After all, it’s we who say ‘Lador Vador’ (From generation to generation). And our generation, and those after us, will always remember.”
One of the key initiators of Polin: The Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Sigmund Rolat supported the renaissance of Jewish life in Poland and encouraged the fostering of harmonious relations between Poles and Jews. March of the Living groups include the award winning Warsaw museum on all of their visits to Poland, and were among the first organized delegations to visit the museum when it first opened in 2013. Watch Video
Sigmund Rolat will forever be remembered for his generosity, optimism and desire to build bridges between Jews and Poles and all people – despite losing his entire immediate family in the Holocaust. May his life and noble deeds be an example to us all.
May his memory always be a blessing.
View musical composition “Six”, inspired by the bravery of Sigmund Rolat, composed by Tali Katz grandchild of Holocaust survivors. Tali participated in the 2018 March of the Living together with her mother Eynat Katz, a participant in the very first March of the Living in 1988.
