Ships To Nowhere Exhibit Opens

A special exhibit opened October 1, inaugurating opening of the Kupferberg Holocaust Center's new exhibition, Ships to Nowhere. The opening was highlighted by the presentation of citations to Queens residents Irving Redel, Esther Katz, Margot Gold and Jane Keibel, all passengers aboard some of these ships.

During the rise of the Nazi state and the onset of the Holocaust, many refugees felt quite fortunate to obtain passage aboard ships sailing from Europe. It meant freedom from imprisonment and in most cases, escape from certain death. Yet this relief was short-lived. In too many cases, these "fortunate" refugees found they were denied admission by many countries of the free world and were forced to float out at sea for weeks or return to Europe. What followed is a story of despair, heroism, salvation and destruction.

In recognition of the courageous undertakings by those who sailed away in search of refuge, the Kupferberg Holocaust Center opened the exhibit, Ships to Nowhere, honoring those people whose desire for freedom led them on this tragic journey. The exhibit has been curated specifically for the Kupferberg Center by Rabbi Isidoro Aizenberg, historian and Rabbi Emeritus of the Conservative Synagogue of Jamaica Estates.

Victoria Redel, daughter of Irving Redel and author of The Border of Truth, will speak on the journey of the Quanza, one of the Ships to Nowhere. Additionally, Steve Berger, a Kupferberg Center volunteer and survivor will discuss his experiences smuggling Jews into Palestine by ship.

For more information, call the Kupferberg Center at Queensborough Community College at 718-281-5770.