Teaneck—The Teaneck Town Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution to move forward with the conception and design of a duo of memorials on the Municipal Green, an area that lies between the Teaneck Municipal Building and the Teaneck Library, adjacent to Teaneck Road.

Representing the Teaneck Holocaust Commemoration Commission, Steve Fox and Bruce Prince stood with Theodora Lacey and Lillian Lewis, representatives of the Enslaved Africans Memorial Monument Commission, to exhibit their collaboration. According to Fox, “With the new plan that we introduced, we designed a comprehensive plan that provides a unifying design that accommodates these two memorials and future ones as well. It also provides space to accomplish our goals of memorializing those murdered in the Holocaust as well as providing a meaningful educational experience for those who visit.”

After a brief introduction by Fox, Prince introduced the architect that has been retained to develop the concept. Alan M Hantman, FAIA, was the 10th Architect of the Capitol, appointed by President Clinton. Hantman also lived in Teaneck for 25 years and raised his children here, where they attended the public schools. Hantman and his wife now live in Fort Lee.

Presenting to the council, Hantman explained that the plan utilizes the 30’x30’ area allotted by the council and provides for both memorialization of the victims of the Holocaust and an area for educational displays around the interior of the walkway. It also provides for benches and walkways to accommodate groups and classes to learn about the Holocaust through the displays which will use cutting edge technology to enhance the learning experience beyond the physical restraints of the memorial. The Teaneck Library is proposed to be an extension of the Learning Center.

Mr. Hantman also presented conceptual renderings that included the placement and exterior design for the Enslaved Africans Memorial, sharing that both memorials are conceptually designed with similar aesthetics and materials for an integrated master plan. It is hoped that both memorials will become part of a meaningful learning experience for people of all ages and backgrounds. Representatives of both groups have enthusiastically embraced this concept, and this fact was reflected in the enthusiastic vote supporting the proposal, which gathered no opposition from present council members, but with one abstention.

Hantman added that the master plan works without disturbing any existing trees and memorials. It was also designed to respect the existing World War II octagonal memorial site and the major 10’ wide walkway leading from Teaneck Road to the monumental stairs and entry portico of the Municipal Building. Additional comments regarding lighting, plantings walkways and designated parking areas will all be part of the architectural concept’s master plan.

It is suggested that future memorials could also coordinate the design of their walkways and use of materials with those recommended for these first two proposals. All memorials would then be part of a greater and harmonious whole, which would jointly become “A Garden to Nurture Human Understanding” on the Municipal Green.

The plan “gives honor and balance not only to one memorial, but two and any potential additional ones that make come about,” said Hantman. “These are monuments that when one leave one monument, the path is inherently leading to another,” he added.

The committee’s report on the master plan was commended by multiple councilmembers, including Councilman Jason Castle, who acknowledged the hard work and “blood, sweat and tears” of both the Holocaust Commemoration and Enslaved Africans Memorial committees.

“If we had searched around the world for someone who could conceive of a plan that served the entire community, I don’t think we could have found someone more up to the task than Mr. Hantman,” said Councilman Alan Sohn. “I would fully support a motion on behalf of our council that we move forward with all the steps. In a world where one would assume that people would never forget, they have forgotten, and these memorials are an important step forward,” said Sohn

Mayor Lizette Parker’s remarks echoed the comments of other council members, stating that the idea of a “garden to nurture human understanding” highlights the importance of tolerance of cultures.

Hantman is currently providing his services pro-bono, and funds will have to be raised to build the memorials.

In an interview, Fox told the Jewish Link the following: “I want to thank all of the committee members, many of whom are children of Holocaust survivors, for persevering through this long process. I am sure that your parents would be proud of what you are doing to honor their memories and of those who were killed in the Shoah. We now call upon the community to rally behind this project to help make it a reality.” Information about how to get involved will be forthcoming.

By Elizabeth Kratz