Rabbi Eric Solomon addresses General Assembly on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, warns against antisemitism

Rabbi Eric Solomon of Beth Meyer synagogue delivered a commemorative address to the North Carolina General Assembly marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, recalling family memory, quoting Elie Wiesel's account from Night, and urging lawmakers to combat antisemitism.

Solomon described his grandmother's Eastern European origins and read Elie Wiesel's account of a boy left hanging at Auschwitz, saying, "For more than half an hour, the child in the noose stayed there struggling between life and death" (quoting Wiesel) to illustrate the moral questions raised by the Holocaust. He told members the state has taken steps including support for the North Carolina Holocaust Council and passage of the Shalom Act addressing antisemitic speech in state discourse.

The rabbi also described contemporary incidents in North Carolina such as antisemitic flyers and bomb threats at Jewish institutions, and he referenced recent violence in Israel and the status of U.S. hostages, including a named North Carolinian, Keith Siegel, whom he said was expected to be released. Solomon implored legislators to uphold "never again" through education and legislation and called for standing against hate in all forms.

Why it matters: The address placed current events and local incidents within the context of Holocaust memory and urged state lawmakers to support education and anti-hate measures. Members of the Assembly recognized the speaker and invited guests from Jewish organizations in the gallery.

Details and context: Rabbi Solomon said the North Carolina Holocaust Council focuses on Holocaust curriculum and education; he praised prior legislative support and said more work may be needed to address hate speech and threats to Jewish institutions. The speaker concluded with a prayer and the Assembly responded with thanks and recognition of guests representing Jewish organizations around the state.