Irish President Catherine Connolly pays tribute to Tomi Reichental, a Holocaust survivor who passed away at the age of 90. Reichental, who was sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the age of nine from Slovakia, managed to survive until the camp’s liberation in 1945. Regrettably, thirty-five of his family members perished in the Holocaust.
After relocating to Ireland in 1959, Reichental became an influential figure in educating people about the atrocities of the Holocaust. President Connolly extended her heartfelt condolences to Reichental’s loved ones, acknowledging his profound impact on Irish society by sharing his personal experiences and shedding light on the Holocaust’s grim realities.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin expressed his deep sorrow over Reichental’s passing, emphasizing his lifelong dedication to educating future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust. Oliver Sears, the founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland, praised Reichental for his ability to recount his story with honesty, dignity, and compassion, highlighting his invaluable contributions to Holocaust education and interfaith relations.
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, founder of the Irish Muslim Council, described Reichental as an extraordinary individual whose life journey symbolized both humanity’s darkest moments and the resilience, forgiveness, and compassion that can emerge from tragedy. Al-Qadri emphasized Reichental’s unwavering stance against hate and dehumanization, as well as his compassionate support for Syrian refugees in Ireland, showcasing his belief in our shared humanity and responsibility to assist the vulnerable.
Al-Qadri joined people from diverse backgrounds in mourning Reichental’s passing, acknowledging the profound impact of his legacy on fostering empathy, understanding, and unity among communities.
