2008 Mitch and Rozalie Jerome attended the March of Life in Germany founded by Pastor Jobst Bittner. As a second generation Holocaust survivor, the sight of Nazi descendants marching for and apologizing to Jewish Holocaust survivors and their children had a powerful impact on Rozalie that was not easily forgotten. That same year, the first March of Remembrance in Texas happened in Dallas.
2012 The vision for a March of Remembrance in Houston came. In just six weeks through the efforts of volunteers from multiple churches and ministries, the first March of Remembrance Houston was held in the community of Kingwood, Texas. The march was hosted by seven churches along Woodland Hills Dr beginning with a opening ceremony at Kingwood United Methodist Church and ending with a memorial service at St. Martha’s Catholic Church. Besides the seven host churches, members of churches throughout Kingwood and across the city of Houston came to show their support and participate. Between the two ceremonies and the march, close to 1,000 people participated in the day.
2019 Rozalie was asked to be the National Director of March of Remembrance Texas due to the momentum that has been stirred through her leadership in the greater Houston area since 2012. Below are some excerpts from Tx marches:
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What if the Christians—the ones who truly followed the way and teachings of Jesus—had early on taken to the streets to protest the Nazi movement? Would it have made a difference? We’ll never know, because they didn’t. But if it had been me, as much as I would have felt the nudge of God’s Spirit to take action, most likely I would have held back because of fear. The interesting thing is that what holds me back the most is the very ordinary fear of uncertainty. How does one go about mounting a protest? How do you talk about these kinds of things? Where do you find like-minded persons, so that you are not alone? To me the Holocaust March of Remembrance is an answer to such questions. Perhaps it is not too early in our own day to make these visible public statements against resurgent anti-Semitism. But it is never too early to have a fire drill, because knowing what to do in a crisis takes advance preparation and practice because we never know when the crisis might happen. This March of Remembrance is that kind of practice and preparation. It creates networks of people who are willing to stand together and to move in the direction of justice and compassion. It gives us practice in organizing. It helps us find words to express timeless truths in need of timely reminders. This is why I am a part of the 2015 Kingwood March of Remembrance—it’s God’s call to me to start repenting from standing idly by.
Doyle TheimerPastor, Christ the King Lutheran
We have been privileged to participate over the past two years in our local ‘March of Remembrance’. Many of our parishioners have not only walked, but also been eager to develop deeper ties between ourselves and our Jewish friends. The learning, remembering, and rejoicing that has occurred has inspired our congregation and encouraged a deeper commitment to ‘never again’. I am glad to represent the intent of the March to the greater United Methodist community.
Jim WelchReverend, Kingwood United Methodist
Throughout history, the Jewish people have learned, ‘we can’t count on anyone but ourselves.’ The March of Remembrance is beginning to change that perception. Those who participate in the March say to the world that NO oppression is acceptable. When Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marched with Martin Luther King in Alabama in 1963, he said, ‘I’m praying with my feet.’ Walking with those willing to end oppression is a powerful form of prayer that we can all appreciate.
Dan GordonRabbi, Temple Beth Torah
I was truly blessed to participate in the 2013 March in Baytown. We at Faith Presbyterian were delighted to host the March and enjoyed participation from members and pastors of St. Mark’s United Methodist, Trinity Episcopal, St. Stephen Lutheran, St. John the Evangelist Catholic, Baker Road Baptist and the Church on the Rock.
Dr Jim GillReverend, Faith Presbyterian
Aglow International recognizes the March of Remembrance (USA) and the March of Life (Europe) as a heartfelt response from Christians to the Holocaust and a viable option for putting feet to the ground in relation to Aglow’s call to Israel.
Jane Hansen-HoytPresident, Aglow International
I am the preacher at the Kingwood Church of Christ in Kingwood, TX. It has been our great pleasure to be a part of the March of Remembrance since its inception. I have been witness to an entire community coming together under the banner of “Never Forget” as we recall those who suffered the atrocities of the Holocaust. However, we are not content to remember only but through prayer, faith, and a deep reliance upon Yahweh we proclaim “Never Again”.
I call upon all of our brothers and sisters in Christ to participate in this event each and every year. Though the March’s focus is upon those who suffered in WWII, we recall and pray for all who have suffered and have been persecuted for their faith. We lift up those in harm’s way as we speak. In the end, though it is our intention to “Never Forget”, let us remember that we serve a living God who “Never Forgets” us. He continually calls us to obedience, faith, and unity. If you are reading this, I pray that you will join us in our efforts to bring unity through faith.
Scott ThibodeauxPastor, Church of Christ
I am the rector of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Kingwood, Texas. Our parish has been one of many congregations participating and supporting the Holocaust March of Remembrance in the greater Houston for the past two years. I am writing to invite you and the congregation you serve to join in this year’s March of Remembrance.
The March of Remembrance is a powerful and moving reminder of the atrocities that human beings can inflict on one another. It is important to remember the Holocaust—to “Never Forget” what did happen during WWII. Our hope is that people of all ages, races, religions and creeds will come together to prevent and stop the evil and horror of genocide and ethnic cleansing wherever it may found. This is where the “rubber meets the road” in our various faith traditions. If people of faith do not speak out and act, who will?
William T. Richter, Jr.Reverend, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
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