It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Holocaust survivor Boris Chartan. He was the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County’s (HMTC) founder and first chairman. He was 96 years old. 

Boris, along with other survivors, clergy, and politicians, founded The Holocaust Memorial and Educational Center in 1992 to remember Holocaust victims, educate future generations, and to be a second home for survivors who settled on Long Island and rebuilt their lives here -- after losing everything to the hands of the Nazis. 

"This is an insurmountable loss for the HMTC and the survivor community," said HMTC board chair Alan Mindel. "Boris was the driving force in creating a sacred space for our cherished survivors. If it weren't for him, the Center would not exist. It is because of Boris' vision that we now educate thousands of students, law enforcement, nurses, and the general community across Long Island and beyond about the horrors of the Holocaust and how to be upstanders and speak out to prevent future genocides from happening." 

Carol Ragione, who worked closely with Boris and has known him for more than two decades recalls, "As one of the original employees of HMTC, it was an honor to work for Boris Chartan, a Holocaust survivor, whose vision was to bring an educational center and museum to Long Island and to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to children and adults alike. It’s a sad day with his passing. May he rest in peace."

Boris was born in 1926 in Podkamien, Poland. He was an only child but part of a large extended family. As a child, he recalled that the Jewish people were blamed for everything that went wrong -- they had no power and were often singled out and attacked, and the Nazis burned down synagogues. He witnessed the murders of his aunts, grandmother, and others, which happened right in front of him. 

Boris and his father were taken to a work camp where they were forced to mine rocks. A Polish couple his father was friends with hid Boris' mother in a hayloft on a farm. They made sure Boris and his father had food and they traveled long distances by horse and wagon to the work camp to deliver it. Boris and his father managed to escape from the camp and joined Boris' mother in the hayloft. They were liberated by the Russians and taken to Germany to live in a displaced persons camp. With the help of his uncles, Boris came to New York in 1946. Boris credits this kind Polish couple for saving his life and for being upstanders. 

In an interview with a high school student in 2005, Boris shared, "We are here to tell the story to make the young people aware of what hate and intolerance can do to us. Be on guard all the time. When you see intolerance or injustice, speak out and do not keep silent. Silence leads to the destruction of people."

In Boris' memory, and in honor of all Holocaust survivors on this earth and in our hearts -- we promise to continue doing all we can to teach future generations to fight antisemitism and hate.

May Boris' memory forever be a blessing.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

Friday, March 17, 2023 at 1 pm

Gutterman’s Funeral Home in Woodbury

8000 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY 11797

SHIVA INFORMATION

Saturday, March 18 from 7 - 9 pm

Sunday, March 19 from 3 - 5 pm and 7 - 9 pm

Monday, March 20 from 3 - 5 pm and 7 - 9 pm

Tuesday, March 21 from 3 - 5 pm and 7 - 9 pm

Wednesday, March 22 from 3 - 5 pm and 7 - 9 pm

For shiva location, please email [email protected].