Holocaust survivors celebrate milestone birthdays

Adrienne Petrook of Closter was among the 34 Holocaust survivors, all 90 or older, who recently met in New York City to celebrate milestone birthdays at a Blue Card celebration. The gathering brought survivors together to celebrate one another. They included centenarians Annmarie Kolner and Sally Muschel, who is turning 101 in early November. Many survivors served by the Blue Card live below the federal poverty line. Approximately 14,700 Holocaust survivors live in New York City.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and New York City Comptroller Mark Levine addressed survivors. Ms. Menin also received a plaque from the Blue Card, which featured an original blue card from which the organization derives its name. Council Member Virginia Maloney, and Eva Wyner, director of Jewish affairs for Governor Kathy Hochul, also were there.

Mr. Levine said he was honored to be in the company of survivors and celebrated the “bridges built across the [Jewish] community” to bring people together.

“This is truly one of those occasions where we are celebrating life,” Blue Card’s executive director, Masha Pearl, said. “To celebrate a 100th birthday with someone who survived the Holocaust is an extraordinary joy. These survivors were once children whose futures were nearly stolen from them. Today, we celebrated a century of life and reminded them how deeply they are loved. Every survivor deserves the care that makes days like this possible and the comfort of knowing someone will be there when the celebration ends.”