Irish President Catherine Connolly pays tribute to Tomi Reichental, a Holocaust survivor who passed away at 90 years old. Reichental, who was sent to the Bergen-Belsen Nazi camp at the age of nine from Slovakia, lost 35 family members during the Holocaust. After moving to Ireland in 1959, he became an educator on Holocaust atrocities.
Connolly expressed her condolences, highlighting Reichental’s significant impact on Irish society by raising awareness about Bergen-Belsen and his family’s Holocaust suffering. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Oliver Sears of Holocaust Awareness Ireland also mourned his loss, emphasizing his dedication to educating about the Holocaust and promoting interfaith relations.
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, founder of the Irish Muslim Council, praised Reichental for his resilience, forgiveness, and compassion in the face of adversity. Al-Qadri noted Reichental’s advocacy against hate and dehumanization, as well as his support for Syrian refugees in Ireland, showcasing his empathy and belief in shared humanity.
Remembering Reichental as a beacon of hope and unity, Al-Qadri and others from diverse backgrounds expressed sorrow over his passing, honoring his legacy of promoting understanding and compassion.