Museum remembers a real mensch
"Joe was known to be resilient, and to have a positive outlook on life."
Tributes are flowing for longtime Sydney Jewish Museum (SJM) volunteer Jo Symon, who died earlier this month, four months shy of his 100th birthday.
In a touching statement, the SJM commented, “It is often believed in Judaism that someone who passes away on Rosh Hashanah was a special person, and Joe was a cherished volunteer at the Museum, where he shared his story of survival with adults and students for 16 years”.
“He is survived by his beloved wife, Avril, who was also a volunteer guide for many years.
“His daughter and son-in-law, Juliane and David, continue this legacy of guiding at the Museum.
“Joe was known to be resilient, and to have a positive outlook on life.
“He said: We need to explain to other people how beautiful life can be . . . Just respect each other, and try to live next to each other, like decent human beings.”
The grandfather of five, and great-grandfather of 10, resisted a forced labour order when 19 in Budapest, but was forced to comply in June 1944, under the threat of punishment.
He managed to escape, and joined the Hungarian resistance, where he sabotaged German roundups, smuggled Jews out of the ghetto, and organised food for starving children in hiding.
His ingenuity and bravery helped him survive the war, after which he moved to Israel, before arriving in Sydney in 1959.
He is buried at Macquarie Park Cemetery.
Zionist Council of NSW CEO Yossi Eshed honoured Symon’s memory at a talk at Montefiore Hunters Hill, describing him as an inspirational friend.
“Like many others, I loved Joe,” Eshed said.
When I first met him, he was already 92, yet he appeared to me like an enthusiastic and super optimistic young man, such was his spirit, and he had a great sense of humour.”
“The Jewish community will never be the same without dear Joe.”
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