Public Talk

Hedy Epstein, Holocaust Survivor and campaigner for Palestinian human rights

Saturday 11th October, 8pm, St. Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster
Free event. Donations welcome to "Free Gaza" campaign


When the “Free Gaza” ship recently broke through Israel’s blockade of Gaza
to deliver much needed medical aid, the passengers included committed activists
of all ages, nationalities and professions. There was one, however, whose
personal history made her a particularly remarkable passenger: Hedy Epstein,
Holocaust survivor, human rights activist and dedicated campaigner against
Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people.

Hedy Epstein (née Wachenheimer) was born 15 August 1924 in Freiburg, Germany.
In 1939, at the age of fourteen, Hedy left Germany for England as part of a
Kindertransport group. Her parents and relatives were deported on 22 October
1940 to Camp de Gurs, a concentration camp in what was then Vichy France. Though
Hedy received letters from her parents for the next two years, all communication
ceased after May, 1942 when Hedy’s family was sent to Auschwitz. She never saw
her parents or relatives again. Hedy spent the rest of the war in England, but
headed back to Germany afterwards to work for the American government. She
immigrated to the US in 1948 and soon became an active campaigner for civil and
human rights and social justice. Some of her causes have included fair housing,
abortion rights, and antiwar activities. As a peace delegate, Hedy journeyed to
Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Cambodia in 1989.

Hedy Epstein has visited the Israeli Occupied West Bank five times since 2003,
to witness daily life and to support Palestinians in their peaceful struggle
against the occupation. She has participated in several non-violent
demonstrations, together with Israelis, Palestinians & other internationals, in
opposition to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, the 25-foot high cement
wall, and the demolition of Palestinian homes and olive orchards.

Hedy began speaking to audiences in 1970. Her topics include her Nazi Holocaust
experiences, her work at the Nuremberg Medical Trial and her numerous trips to
Palestine. Equally conversant in English and German, she has spoken in the US,
Germany, and Austria to audiences of schoolchildren, college students, and
adults.

Ms Epstein was invited to speak in Lancaster by the Lancaster Palestine
Solidarity Campaign, which works to raise awareness of daily life for
Palestinians living under occupation. The group, which was founded after one
member returned from working with an international human rights group in the
West Bank, organises regular events including films, guest speakers and
workshops. A day school held last summer enabled direct discussion with
Palestinians in major cities across the West Bank through live video links.
Regular fundraising nights are also held, most recently to raise money for
"Medical Aid for Palestinians".

Hedy Epstein is a truly remarkable person and an inspirational speaker.
Following her lecture there will be chance to meet her at a reception in the
Cathedral Social Centre where Palestinian olive oil and other Palestinian fair
trade goods will be available. Admission to Ms Epstein’s talk is free; there
will be a retiring collection in aid of the “Free Gaza” ships.

For more information about this or other events at St Peter’s Cathedral,
please phone the Cathedral Events Co-ordinator on 01524 384820.


For more information about Hedy Epstein, please go to her website:
www.hedyepstein.com.


For more information on the “Free Gaza” campaign and the “Free Gaza”
ship, please go to: www.freegaza.org.

For more information on the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, please go to:
www.palestinecampaign.org.uk.