Press-Telegram Long Beach
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
11/15/2008
LONG BEACH - It is a pairing that seems simultaneously incongruous and yet fitting.
Jewish World Watch might not be an organization that immediately springs to mind when talking about Cambodian issues. And yet, with their experiences as survivors of genocide, Cambodians and Jews share an elemental connection that goes beyond cultures.
It is for that reason, in part, the Jewish World Watch is presenting its second annual iWitness Award tonight to Cambodian filmmaker Socheata Poeuv.
Poeuv, who was born on New Year's Day in a Thai refugee camp, produced and directed the award-winning film "New Year Baby" to raise awareness of the horrors of the Cambodian genocide.
The movie not only recounts her family's harrowing story of survival, but talks about bridging the gap between parents, who often bury their past, and their children.
Poeuv is also the founder of Khmer Legacies, which attempts to connect Cambodian-American youth and their survivor parents through filmmaking and documentation by the children of the survival stories of their elders. Her goal is to have 10,000 children interview their parents and document their stories.
Janice Kamenir-Reznik, co-founder and president of Jewish World Watch, said it was Poeuv's dedication to keep the memories of the Cambodian genocide alive and particularly the idea of having children connect with their parents through the filmmaking process that impressed her.
And as Holocaust survivors know, and Kemenir-Reznik articulated, "you need to confront the past to face the future."
For all the Jewish and Cambodian communities might seem to share in terms of painful histories, Kamenir-Reznik said they had never really connected.
But when Sara Pol-Lim, executive director of the United Cambodian Community social service provider in Long Beach, contacted Jewish World Watch it became obvious they had much to share and teach each other.
Pol-Lim said she hopes Cambodians can use the Jewish community as a role model.
"We want to see the ways we can improve and go in the same pattern," Pol-Lim said.
The UCC leader said she is particularly interested in closing generational gaps in the Cambodian community.
"One of the barriers we learn from our youth is their parents feel shame," Pol-Lim said.
Kamenir-Reznik says learning about the Killing Fields and the Cambodian experience should be eye-opening to her community.
The iWitness Award honors representatives from communities that have been victims of genocides in the 20th century and those who play a role in documenting and educating the world about the genocide. Last year, Jewish World Watch memorialized the Armenian genocide.
Jewish World Watch is a coalition of 60 synagogues working to combat genocide and human rights violations worldwide. It chose Darfur as its first advocacy campaign and has allocated more than $2 million in direct assistance to the people in Darfur.
Kamenir-Reznik hopes her group can engage with the Cambodians in their cause.
"We want to mobilize the community to be part of the tapestry of the anti-genocide movement," she said.
The film will be shown at 5:30p.m. Tonight's other events begin at 7 p.m. at the Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 Willow St. and will feature Cambodian music and dancing as well as the presentation of the award.
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
11/15/2008
LONG BEACH - It is a pairing that seems simultaneously incongruous and yet fitting.
Jewish World Watch might not be an organization that immediately springs to mind when talking about Cambodian issues. And yet, with their experiences as survivors of genocide, Cambodians and Jews share an elemental connection that goes beyond cultures.
It is for that reason, in part, the Jewish World Watch is presenting its second annual iWitness Award tonight to Cambodian filmmaker Socheata Poeuv.
Poeuv, who was born on New Year's Day in a Thai refugee camp, produced and directed the award-winning film "New Year Baby" to raise awareness of the horrors of the Cambodian genocide.
The movie not only recounts her family's harrowing story of survival, but talks about bridging the gap between parents, who often bury their past, and their children.
Poeuv is also the founder of Khmer Legacies, which attempts to connect Cambodian-American youth and their survivor parents through filmmaking and documentation by the children of the survival stories of their elders. Her goal is to have 10,000 children interview their parents and document their stories.
Janice Kamenir-Reznik, co-founder and president of Jewish World Watch, said it was Poeuv's dedication to keep the memories of the Cambodian genocide alive and particularly the idea of having children connect with their parents through the filmmaking process that impressed her.
And as Holocaust survivors know, and Kemenir-Reznik articulated, "you need to confront the past to face the future."
For all the Jewish and Cambodian communities might seem to share in terms of painful histories, Kamenir-Reznik said they had never really connected.
But when Sara Pol-Lim, executive director of the United Cambodian Community social service provider in Long Beach, contacted Jewish World Watch it became obvious they had much to share and teach each other.
Pol-Lim said she hopes Cambodians can use the Jewish community as a role model.
"We want to see the ways we can improve and go in the same pattern," Pol-Lim said.
The UCC leader said she is particularly interested in closing generational gaps in the Cambodian community.
"One of the barriers we learn from our youth is their parents feel shame," Pol-Lim said.
Kamenir-Reznik says learning about the Killing Fields and the Cambodian experience should be eye-opening to her community.
The iWitness Award honors representatives from communities that have been victims of genocides in the 20th century and those who play a role in documenting and educating the world about the genocide. Last year, Jewish World Watch memorialized the Armenian genocide.
Jewish World Watch is a coalition of 60 synagogues working to combat genocide and human rights violations worldwide. It chose Darfur as its first advocacy campaign and has allocated more than $2 million in direct assistance to the people in Darfur.
Kamenir-Reznik hopes her group can engage with the Cambodians in their cause.
"We want to mobilize the community to be part of the tapestry of the anti-genocide movement," she said.
The film will be shown at 5:30p.m. Tonight's other events begin at 7 p.m. at the Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 Willow St. and will feature Cambodian music and dancing as well as the presentation of the award.
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