On the occasion of the Hanukkah festival, in December 2020 the Israel Ibero-America Chamber of Commerce (CILIB) held a commemorative ceremony in memory of the Touza sisters and of all those righteous yet unknown people who were a light during the darkness of the Nazi Holocaust in World War II. The ceremonies took place in Ourense and in Ribadavia (Galicia, Spain).
Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE.
Presentation of a Menorah to the Provincial Council of Ourense
The President of the Provincial Council of Ourense, Manuel Baltar, received from Juan Carlos Piñeiro Docampo, the Chamber’s regional director for Galicia and Portuguese-speaking countries, a “Menorah,” the candelabrum or oil lamp characteristic of Hebrew culture and one of the most important symbolic objects of Judaism.
The purpose of the donation is to honor the memory of the Touza sisters and to highlight Ourense’s relationship with the Jewish people. The commemorative plaque reads:
“To the Honorable Provincial Council of Ourense, in gratitude for preserving the history of the Jewish community of Ourense and Galicia.”
Manuel Baltar expressed his thanks for the distinction and promised that the Menorah “will be exhibited in the Provincial Palace,” highlighting “the great humanitarian work carried out by the Touza sisters, a benchmark of solidarity and an example of harmony between individuals and peoples.”
The ceremony, held at the Provincial Palace (Pazo Provincial), was also attended by Ribadavia councilors Noelia Rodríguez and Cristina Otero. Assaf Morán, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Israel in Spain, and David Obando Abraham, President of the Chamber, took part by videoconference.
Tribute to Lola, Amparo and Julia Touza in Ribadavia
The remembrance ceremonies continued in the afternoon in Ribadavia, at the Jewish Information Center of Galicia, with a reception hosted by the town’s mayor, César Fernández. The mayor was presented with another Menorah in honor of Lola, Amparo and Julia Touza, the three sisters who, from Ribadavia, helped save hundreds of people fleeing the Nazi Holocaust during World War II.
For the Israel Ibero-America Chamber of Commerce, it is an honor to have the opportunity to commemorate these true heroes, who deserve to be remembered as an example for future generations.
Coverage in the Galician media
La Voz de Galicia: A Menorah for the Provincial Council and Ribadavia to honor the Touza sisters
The Multilateral Chamber of Commerce and Corporation of Israel and Ibero-America remembered the women of Ribadavia who helped Jews escape Nazism
Onda Cero: Ourense and Israel honor the Touza sisters with the donation of a “Menorah”
Manuel Baltar expressed his thanks for the distinction and pledged that the Menorah “will be on display in the Provincial Palace”
Provincial Council of Ourense: Ourense and Israel honor the Touza sisters with the donation of a “Menorah” to the Provincial Council
The President of the Provincial Council of Ourense, Manuel Baltar, today received from Juan Carlos Piñeiro Docampo, regional director for Galicia and Portuguese-speaking countries of the Multilateral Chamber of Commerce and Corporation of Israel and Ibero-America (C.M.C.C.I.I.), a “Menorah”
The Chamber and Holocaust remembrance
Learn more about the Israel Ibero-America Chamber of Commerce and its cooperation work between Israel and Ibero-America, and see the profiles of Spain and Israel.
