We Don´t Forget, We Remember, We Will Remember

By Alper PALTI & Elda SASUN

Translation by Janet MITRANI

Neve Shalom Foundation President Yusuf Kohen in his speech during the commemoration ceremony in the Ortaköy Etz Ahayim Synagogue, coordinated for the victims, Anna Rubinstein, Annette Rubinstein Talu, Avram Varol, Berta Özdoğan, İsrael Yoel Ülçer, and Yona Romano, who had lost their lives during the terror attack, said, "We feel a deep sorrow today. Today we have gathered to remember the 19th anniversary of the vicious attack on our community. That day the innocent community members who only wanted to pray, our neighbors, our co-workers, and the people passing by on the street, had lost their lives in the massive explosion. Sometimes memories in life cannot be expressed by words and cannot be forgotten. What was lived that day was one of those memories. Even though it has been years since that agony that had shaken us deeply, our hearts are bitter, our sorrow still fresh, a part of us always missing, just like the first day.

Yoel Kohen Ülçer is no longer with us but he left behind people who would uphold his memories. We will never forget what he had done at the cost of his life. With your virtue, noble and proud, you will always continue to be in our hearts. We will always keep alive your laughter and energy. Dear Annette Rubinstein Talu, who would have thought that the Shabbat prayer you came laughing and playing that day, when you were only 8 years old, would be the last prayer for you? Why would someone on her way to prayer become an angel? Dear Annette, your beautiful name will stay as a symbol for this community. Your laughter will be the best response to those who want to malign this world. We will always remember you in our hearts. We commemorate with respect and love Berta Özdoğan, Yona Romano, and Anna Rubinstein who had come that day hand in hand with her granddaughter Annette; those who had lost their lives. A community that remembers cannot stop history from happening but by reminiscing and commemorating a viciousness, it can stop it from repeating. Therefore I believe we should pass what was lived from generation to generation, and not let it be forgotten. We promise we'll struggle with all our might to accomplish this."

Before lighting the commemoration candle for the victims, Chief Rabbi Haleva said:

"Right now I'm lighting this candle for the salvation of the souls of our brothers and sisters murdered by the accursed evils during the holy Shabbat prayer in the Neve Shalom and Şişli Beth Israel Synagogues, and we pray that God Almighty shall comfort their souls and take them to the source of life. We entrust the police officer, surveillance officers on duty, and all our innocent citizens, who had lost their lives in this treacherous attack, to God's mercy and wish you lead them to your heaven. May their souls rest in peace. Our God Almighty whose mercy is endless and whose sovereignty is absolute over the life of the living; embrace those who lost their lives in the explosion by the abominable murderers yesterday in Beyoğlu Istiklal Street with your mercy, and grant a speedy recovery to the injured. We say Amen."

Emin Yakupoğlu's wife Nurten Yakupoğlu together with her son were invited to light a candle on behalf of the non-Jews who had lost their lives during the terror attack.

Following the candle-lighting ceremony, Arvit and Mincha prayers were recited.

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