Focus on D-Day
Operation Overlord, following D-Day's success, enabled another 715,0000 allied troops to land within a month.
More than 250 people – from NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and General Sir Peter Cosgrove to Jewish day school students and 3rd Rose Bay Judean Scouts – attended a solemn NSW Association of Jewish Service and Ex-Service Men and Women Remembrance Day service at the Sydney Jewish Museum on November 10.
Keynote speaker, the Great Synagogue’s Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, focused on the pivotal D-Day landings by 160,000 allied troops in Normandy on June 6, 1944, which paved the way for Germany’s defeat.
Operation Overlord, following D-Day’s success, enabled another 715,0000 allied troops to land within a month.
One was Rabbi Elton’s grandfather, Sergeant Solomon Lewis, of the RAF’s parachute regiment.
About 2800 Australian airmen, 500 Australian sailors and supporting soldiers were involved in D-Day, including Jewish Diggers.
“One Jewish soldier with an Australian connection who particularly stands out was Private Barney Barnett – born Horst Adolf Blumenthal in Berlin in 1920 – one of 1750 refugees on the HMT Dunera,” Rabbi Elton said.
Barnett joined the British Army, and was 24 on D-Day.
He advanced until a rocket hit his tank, and became a prisoner at Stalag 7A in Bavaria.
“After the war, Barnett translated Nazi documents used in the Nuremberg trials, and returned to Australia.
“He was just one man in a massive operation … and 80 years since, we can reflect on how deeply we are in their debt.”
Navy chaplain Rabbi Rafi Kaiserblueth from Emanuel Synagogue, said, “We remember those who served and we honour that memory to continue their legacy.”
Year 10 Kesser Torah College student Yoni Kady spoke of the service of Diggers in the Korean War, including Jewish servicemen Henry Getz and Harry Epstein.
The 2024 NAJEX Youth Award recipients, announced by NAJEX president Roger Selby, were Liberty Waldner, Hilton Friedler, Liora Bass, Ari Siganos, Willow Lang and Mason Blackstone.
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