David

Science, technology and HHGTTG 42

[Gerry Gregg @gearoidgregg]

I remember the occasion well. Tomi had a soft spot for Cork and Cork people. One of his liberators in 1945 was John Stout from Cork city. He met Tomi 70 years after liberating Bergen Belsen in Cork and told us “It was the best thing I ever did and I’d do it again if I had to.”

[Gerry Gregg @gearoidgregg]

I made three films for RTE and Screen Ireland with Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental. That trilogy now constitutes an enduring reminder of Tomi’s epic mission of remembrance. “First we were excluded from society, then we were expelled, and finally we were exterminated.”

[Gerry Gregg @gearoidgregg]

Here is “Close to Evil” winner of the 2015 IFTA award for best feature documentary. It tells the story of Tomi Reichental’s quest to meet one of his SS jailers. “Close to Evil"
https://t.co/SllNq6TD9Y 
Password tomi21945

[Rachel Moiselle @RachelMoiselle]

I really recommend reading Tomi’s book, ‘I Was a Boy in Belsen’, to learn about his life.

https://t.co/qnqaS6mEfN

[NewstalkFM @NewstalkFM]

Irish Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental has died at the age of 90.

As a young boy, Mr Reichental was imprisoned in Bergen Belsen concentration camp and 35 of his relatives were murdered by the Nazis.

As a pensioner in Ireland, he educated thousands of children about the terrible things he witnessed and the evils of antisemitism.

“After all the horror, I am doing my best to keep the memory of those lost ones alive," he said.

"We – you, me, your children, and my children – must never forget.”

You can learn more about Mr Reichental's incredible story of survival in Newstalk's award nominated documentary In The Swastika's Shadow: Ireland and the Holocaust:

https://t.co/ujcSiaVrJz

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. May his memory be a blessing.

[BelfastLieutenancy @BLieutenancy]

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Holocaust survivor and educator Tomi Reichental. I was honoured to present his honorary BEM. My deepest condolences to his wife and family. May his memory always be a blessing. FJOB

[Daniel Epstein-O'Dowd @DODubhda]

The passing of Tomi Reichentahl is a loss not only to the Jewish community of Ireland, but to the people of Ireland.

His tireless advocacy and educational efforts did so much to ensure generations of Irish people knew the horrors of the Holocaust, and that silence should never be an option.

A kind man who I was very privileged to share a couple of conversations with - May his memory forever be a blessing.

Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet 🕯

[Rory Cowan @1rorycowan]

Ah, I'm really sorry to hear this. I met Tomi a number of times over the years. He was a lovely man. He used to visit schools and colleges around the country and recount his experiences as a child prisoner in the Bergen-Belsen camp during WWII, in an attempt to educate the students about the Holocaust, in the hope that it could never happen again.

[Rachel Moiselle @RachelMoiselle]

It’s hard to find the words to describe what an immeasurable loss it is that Tomi Reichental, a Holocaust survivor who spent decades educating Irish children about the Holocaust, has passed away.

As @Alan__Shatter states, he was ‘an inspiring man of courage, decency, insight and an unforgettable kindness. A Holocaust survivor, teacher and truth teller.’

Maurice Cohen, Chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, writes: ‘Tomi was not only a survivor; he was a teacher, a witness, and a cherished member of Irish society. His contribution to Holocaust education and to the fight against antisemitism and racism leaves a lasting legacy.’

My condolences are with Tomi’s family, who carry on this profound legacy. His son gave a most poignant speech at Ireland’s Yom HaShoah commemoration this year.

Tomi’s memory will forever be a blessing.

https://t.co/en6AFhCGuD

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tomi Reichental. Tomi endured the evil of the Holocaust and dedicated his life to ensuring its horror is never forgotten.

[Holocaust Awareness Ireland @Holocaust_Irl]

We are deeply saddened by the death today of Tomi Reichental.

Tomi’s family story is well known in Ireland and beyond. At the age of nine, he was deported from his home in Slovakia to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany, where he survived unimaginable hardship until liberation in 1945. Thirty-five members of his family were murdered in the Holocaust.

It was only at the age of 60 that Tomi broke his silence about his childhood experiences. As he often said, “It was not that I didn’t want to speak; I just couldn’t.”

From that moment on, he became a passionate educator on the Holocaust, visiting schools throughout the country and eventually speaking to more than 200,000 students. He also made three documentary films about his experiences and authored two books.

Everyone who met Tomi remarked on his ability to tell his story with honesty, dignity, and humanity. Through his testimony, he demonstrated how easily people can be othered and how entire communities can be demonised. His unwavering contribution to Holocaust education and interfaith relations will never be forgotten.

The Jewish community has lost a beloved son. Ireland has lost a cherished citizen.

On a personal note, Tomi’s friendship, support, and endorsement of the work of HAI, on whose advisory he sat, gave me the confidence and determination to pursue my mission of raising awareness of the Holocaust in Irish society. I will never forget his encouragement, generosity, and kindness. I am honoured to have known him and privileged to continue carrying forward his invaluable legacy.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to Tomi’s family at this difficult time and wish them long life.

May Tomi’s memory be a blessing.

Oliver Sears
Holocaust Awareness Ireland

[Micheál Martin @MichealMartinTD]

Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tomi Reichental, someone who dedicated his life to teaching new generations about the evil of The Holocaust.

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

Holocaust survivor and campaigner Tomi Reichental has died aged 90 https://t.co/duSqbet8Lu

[Alan Shatter @Alan__Shatter]

A very sad day. Tomi was a gentle man in the true meaning of that term. A man of courage, decency, insight & an unforgettable kindness. A Holocaust survivor, teacher & truth teller. An immeasurable loss at this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing https://t.co/vwkBpNopCP

[Jimmy Carr @jimmycarr]

"It's my first time out after my wife died..."

For more on this topic listen to my appearances on Griefcast with Cariad Lloyd, Where There's A Will There's A Wake and the podcast The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens (Episode: The Forgotten Skills of Dying and Grieving Well).

[David @avida]

https://t.co/UUswQ5kEBJ

[David @avida]

@topazlabs Looks excellent

[David @avida]

Happy New Year World

[David @avida]

Absolutely incredible, science fiction made real

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

The tower has caught the rocket!!