Reiner’s final message to Holocaust survivors was recorded weeks before he was killed, and it has become a poignant reminder of the resilience he championed. The video, captured in early October, was intended for a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony and carries a message that echoes his lifelong advocacy for democracy and human rights.
Reiner’s Final Message
In the video, the actor-director, who was Jewish, urges survivors to “be resilient” during difficult times. He reflects on the terror of the present, saying, “We’re living in a time where what’s happening in our country is scary and reminiscent of what we’ve seen happen in the past, and we just hope that we can all survive this and that we can hold on to our democracy.” Reiner also notes that his wife’s extended family was killed at Auschwitz during the Holocaust, adding a personal layer of meaning to the ceremony. He concludes with a call to action: “If ever we needed to be resilient, it’s now,” and “Let’s be resilient.”
The Tragic Loss
Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found stabbed to death Sunday at their home in Los Angeles, law-enforcement officials said. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bail. The murder of a Hollywood icon has sent shockwaves through the film community and beyond.
The Hanukkah Candle-Lighting Ceremony
The video was broadcast as part of a virtual candle-lighting ceremony honoring Holocaust survivors internationally on the fifth night of Hanukkah. The event is an initiative of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, an organization that advocates for Holocaust survivors. Around 100 survivors gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Thursday afternoon for a candle-lighting ceremony. In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication,” and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century B.C., after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces. Jews celebrate the eight-day holiday, which this year began on Sunday, by lighting a nightly candle in honor of the tiny supply of ritually pure oil that they found in the Temple that lasted for eight nights, instead of just one.
Other Voices in the Virtual Assembly
In addition to Reiner, several other well-known figures recorded messages for the event. Barbra Streisand, Billy Crystal, Jason Alexander, Julianna Margulies, Debra Messing, Adam Arkin, and Jamie Lee Curtis were among those who made prerecorded videos for the event. Journalists Wolf Blitzer and Dana Bash also recorded messages, bringing a broader media perspective to the gathering.
The Broader Context of Antisemitism
Greg Schneider, the executive vice president of the Claims Conference, told the group of survivors in Jerusalem, “Even in these difficult days, when antisemitism is rising and Jewish communities around the world are under attack – this very week on the first night of Hanukkah in Sydney, Australia – we draw strength and inspiration from you, the survivors, from your personal and collective resilience.” The mention of the Sydney attack, where 15 people were killed, underscores the urgency of the message of resilience.
Political Repercussions
Reiner was a vocal critic of U.S. President Donald Trump. In a 2017 interview with Variety, he called Trump “mentally unfit” to be president and “the single-most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States.” In a shocking post after Reiner’s death, Trump suggested that Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition was partially responsible for his murder.
Key Takeaways
- Rob Reiner’s video message to Holocaust survivors urged resilience amid rising antisemitism.
- Reiner and his wife were found stabbed to death in Los Angeles; their son faces murder charges.
- The virtual candle-lighting ceremony honored survivors on Hanukkah’s fifth night, with support from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Reiner’s legacy as an advocate for democracy and his final words to survivors continue to resonate, reminding the world that resilience is not only a personal virtue but a collective responsibility in times of crisis.
