Who will take action now, Margot? (The question is seeking to know who Margot will make a move or take responsibility for a certain activity.)
Margot Friedlaender, the admonisher and storyteller, has left us. Yet, her spirit remains. It's up to us to keep her legacy alive. Yes, we're all just humans, but we need to be more like Margot.
I’ve never seen a more flooded Instagram timeline than the one I witnessed last week. Every influencer, every woman worth her salt, posted a picture of Margot Friedlaender - ideally a selfie with the legend herself. If Instagram is anything to go by, Margot spent the last few years doing little else but taking selfies with her fans. But Margot was more than just a photo op.
Sharing the Story
A few years ago, I attended an exclusive event in Potsdam, where Igor Levit was playing the piano and Max Raabe was a guest. As the sun set dramatically over the lake, I found myself lost in thought, sipping rosé, missing my daughter who was off to South Africa for school. In the crowd, I saw a small woman, almost tiny, with big, kind eyes and a truly sweet smile. She commanded attention, speaking softly, slowly, with a solemn silence that was almost magical. I had the pleasure of meeting her three times, of listening to her, seeing her, and delving deeper into her story.
A few years later, at the "Cinema for Peace" gala, she told her story again. This time, I noticed her being escorted onto the stage, moving quite well, standing upright at the lectern, and pulling out her paper, reading it with a little security. As she spoke, she asked for the spotlight not to be directed so directly at her paper, as it was blinding her. When no one reacted, she became a little annoyed, and I couldn't help but smile, thinking, "Thank goodness, she's just a human being after all."
She spoke of the day her brother was taken by the Gestapo. How her mother followed him, how she found her mother's letter saying she should "make her life," the amber necklace, the only keepsake, and how alone she felt. How she never saw these two people again. She spoke of her deportation to Theresienstadt, her rescue. Her emigration to the USA. Her return to Berlin in old age. Her form of forgiveness and warning. For the first time at this event, the room was silent.
Remembering Margot Friedlaender
Margot Friedlaender's story may be well-known, but as we reflect on her life, the question arises: What happens next? After speaking with Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, it's clear that the Margot Friedlaender Foundation, under the leadership of Karsten Dreinhoefer, will continue her work. But a woman with so much charisma, with her wealth of experience, with her unwavering desire to educate younger generations, such a woman will not be easily replaced.
It's up to us to ensure that Margot's legacy lives on. We need to remember her story, share it with others, and most importantly, follow her lead in promoting tolerance, democracy, and Holocaust education. Let's become the witnesses we can't be for much longer, as Margot once urged. Let's work to make the world a more humane and better place, just as Margot did.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- The Margot Friedlaender Foundation
- CNN
- Yad Vashem
- The community policy should incorporate Margot Friedlaender's legacy, promoting tolerance, democracy, and Holocaust education.
- Employment policies in schools should include personal-growth and education-and-self-development classes inspired by Margot's story.
- Fashion-and-beauty influencers could dedicate a portion of their content to lifestyle changes towards responsible-gambling, as Margot did.
- Migration policies could emphasize the importance of family preservation, as Margot's story showed with her family's separation.
- Casino-and-gambling establishments can adopt responsible-gambling policies, providing skills-training and resources for patrons.
- Casino games like blackjack, slots, roulette, and poker can incorporate responsible-gambling messages into their rules or instructionals.
- Lotteries could donate a percentage of their profits to Holocaust education and awareness programs, honoring Margot's legacy.
- Vegas-history and Vegas-myths could include stories of compassionate figures like Margot Friedlaender, promoting a more balanced view of the city's culture.
- Gambling trends analyses could focus on the impact of casino personalities like Margot on the industry's development, highlighting her contributions.
- Entertainment media can feature more stories of resilient historical figures like Margot, inspiring personal-growth and encouraging responsible-gambling.
- Celebrities can use their influence to support education-and-self-development programs that promote Margot's core values.
- Policy-and-legislation discussions on war-and-conflicts could incorporate Margot's lessons on family preservation and forgiveness.
- Car-accidents prevention campaigns can highlight the importance of being responsible citizens, drawing parallels with responsible-gambling.
- Politics and governance could incorporate Margot's values of empathy, tolerance, and democracy in their practices.
- Sports teams and organizations, like the WNBA, NBA, and NCAA Basketball, could raise awareness about Margot's story, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and tolerance.
- Sports-betting platforms can incorporate responsible-gambling policies, providing resources and tools for responsible wagering.
- Weather forecasting and sports-analysis programs could dedicate segments to discussing historical figures like Margot, inspiring viewers to become involved in their communities.
- General news outlets could cover the influence of Margot's legacy in various aspects of society, from fashion to politics.
- Crime-and-justice reports could focus on the impact of Margot's story on shaping policy and public opinion.
- Accident and fire safety campaigns could utilize Margot's story as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions.
- In remembrance of Margot Friedlaender, let's strive to be more empathetic, tolerant, and compassionate individuals, making the world a better place for generations to come.
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