Join us on Yom HaShoah for a poignant and powerful presentation by Vivienne Cato, the daughter of Holocaust survivor Eva Cato née Rotenstein.
Eva, born in Czechoslovakia in 1927, grew up amidst the rising tide of antisemitism in a small Slovakian town. As a young girl, she witnessed the destruction of her Jewish community and the brutal expansion of Nazi oppression.
In this moving presentation, Vivienne shares the remarkable story of her mother’s survival against unimaginable odds. From her escape to Budapest, where she and her mother lived under false identities, to enduring the Siege of Budapest with almost no food, Eva’s journey is a testament to resilience and courage. Despite the horrors of the Holocaust, including the deportation of her aunt to Auschwitz, Eva and her mother emerged from the war as two of the very few survivors from their community.
Through the eyes of Vivienne, we hear her mother’s story in her own words, as she reflects on her incredible life. Featuring never-before-seen footage of Eva recorded in 1992 as part of the British Library and Yale University’s Holocaust testimony project, this presentation offers a deeply personal and emotional connection to the past.
Vivienne will take us through her mother’s remarkable survival story, showcasing the strength of the human spirit and the importance of remembrance.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear the lived experience of a Holocaust survivor, as shared by the daughter who carries her legacy forward.
Join us for this unforgettable event and let us remember together.
Speaker bio
Vivienne is a teacher, facilitator, writer and editor. She has presented widely, including on Radio 4’s Start the Week and Woman’s Hour. She has published in the field of Jewish education, for example, Sacred Texts: The Torah and Judaism (Evans Brothers 2003) and Religion in Focus: Judaism in Today’s World (John Murray 2001). She is a contributor to the recently-published The Journey Home: Emerging Out of the Shadow of the Past (Peter Lang 2022), which examines the impact on 20 members of the Second Generation of returning to the parental hometown in Europe.
Vivienne Cato speaks about her mother, Eva Cato, who lived under a false identity in Budapest during the Shoah. As a Generation 2 Generation presenter, Vivienne feels strongly that she is carrying forwards her mother’s intention that her story should not be lost – the very reason why Eva agreed to give recorded testimony. As an educator of many years, Vivienne believes profoundly in the value of education to change lives.
The Yellow Candle Project
As part of our Yom HaShoah commemoration, we are proudly supporting The Yellow Candle Project, managed by Maccabi GB. This initiative helps us remember the six million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust.
You can collect a yellow candle from the synagogue during office hours.
Donation £5.00 per candle
To make your donation to this important cause click HERE. Alternatively, if you wish to you can make a cash donation in person at the synagogue.
Together, we honour the memory of the past and support future generations in preserving the lessons of history.
