Cherry tree honors Holocaust victims

FAIRFIELD — Haunting sounds from a flute mingled in the breeze with children's laughter from a nearby playground.

It was, said Michael Jehle, executive director of the Fairfield Museum and History Center, a testament to both history and the future.

Jehle, town officials and members of the town Holocaust Commemoration Committee gathered on the grounds of the history center Wednesday to dedicate a weeping cherry tree to the memory of victims of the Holocaust, the Nazi campaign to exterminate Jews during the World War II era.

Flutist Adrianne Greenbaum played some original klezmer music on antique flutes to mark the occasion.

"It evokes a story in that our music provides you with the appropriate sounds for the history of the Jews," Greenbaum said.

The tree is the 18th the town has planted to honor Holocaust victims, and they can be found at churches, synagogues and schools.

First Selectman Kenneth Flatto said he hopes members of the community will walk by one of the trees "and every once in a while somebody notices It gives you thoughts you don't think every day."

At the base of each tree in town is a stone that reads: "Remembering the Holocaust — The People of Fairfield" and the year the tree was planted.

"My hope is we will never forget what happened 60 years ago," Sylvia Neigher, committee chairwoman, said, "and pool our efforts together so history will never be repeated."

In Jewish tradition, Neigher said, the symbol for the number 18

means "life" — and the significance of that number was not lost on those who attended Wednesday's tree dedication.

"So it's a very special tree," she said. "Hopefully, it will live and flourish."

To mark the brief ceremony's end, Greenbaum played another tune — this one upbeat and sprightly.

"It's called "Zay Gezunt," it's a farewell as well as wishing everyone health," she said.