At the heart of this year’s Genesis Friends for Life Global Foundation’s One-Year Memorial Gala, Solange Pot, a celebrated writer and Holocaust educator, will unveil beautiful handcrafted Legacy Boxes—a tribute to resilience, memory, and interfaith understanding. Flying in from Belgium for the November 21 event in Miami, Solange will present the largest of these exquisite pieces for auction and another four to the Megera children, honoring their loss and the enduring strength of their family.
A Craft Rooted in Memory
Solange Pot’s Legacy Boxes are more than mere objects. Crafted by a craftsman with precision and rich symbolism, they feature intricate marquetry, utilizing thuya wood and embellished with the Star of David—a motif symbolizing hope and unity. These boxes serve as vessels of remembrance, bridging past and present. Solange’s inspiration stems from her family’s own stories during the Holocaust, and she has dedicated her life to educating people of all faiths about the atrocities of that era.
Solange has written a novel about this story, which will be published in 2025.
Crafted according to her vision, the legacy boxes are embodiments of history. The thuya wood, carefully chosen for its imperfections, mirrors the journey of healing—transforming pain into beauty.
Educating Through Art
Solange has collaborated with institutions such as Yad Vashem, donating critical Holocaust-era artifacts to ensure that the stories of survivors are preserved for future generations. Her mission extends beyond education—her project fosters community dialogue and understanding. In a world fraught with division, craftsmanship can inspire unity and reflection.
The boxes are framed with the “golden section,” a divine ratio said to imprint harmony on the human spirit. These Legacy Boxes, each bearing unique inscriptions and designs, will now carry the stories of the Megera children, creating a tangible connection to their past and a source of strength for their future.
“Each box is the faithful reproduction of an ancient box, steeped in history,” Solange said. “The original was entrusted to my grandparents by a couple of Jewish friends who were forced to leave Belgium during the Second World War. Unfortunately, the couple never returned. My grandparents, then my parents, carefully preserved their property.”
As fate would have it, the original box was returned to the Community through her marriage. Her children were raised in the traditions of Judaism, and when my eldest was doing his Bar Mitzvah, she entrusted him with the box with the recommendation to keep it preciously and then pass it on to his descendants in memory of the missing.
“This precious object has become a material support of memory, the symbol of the survival and durability of the Jewish people,” Solange said. “May many pass this torch on to their children, who will in turn pass it on to future generations, creating a chain of memory that is both community and family. May these boxes be a guardian of family history, and World History.
A Gift for the Future
At the gala, these Legacy Boxes will commemorate the Megera family’s story and symbolize the ongoing commitment of Genesis Friends for Life to support those affected by the tragedy. Solange’s dedication to weaving art, memory, and education into these creations aligns perfectly with the foundation’s mission to inspire healing and resilience.
As attendees gather to celebrate life and build hope, the presentation of these Legacy Boxes will remind all present of the enduring power of memory—and the profound impact of a single act of kindness.
Solange Pot’s contribution to the Genesis Memorial Gala is not just a gift; it is a call to action, never to forget, and continually educate.
