MAITLAND — The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida will be commemorating the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust on Tuesday, April 18 with their special Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) program, and the public is invited to attend.
“Gather with us to observe Yom HaShoah which commemorates the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the largest act of resistance to Nazi aggression during the Holocaust,” noted the Center, which is a part of the Jewish Community Center in Maitland.
The event is free to attend, although registration is required.
What Happens at the Yom HaShoah Program?
Held at the JJC at 851 N. Maitland Ave. in Maitland, this program is an observation of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
There will be a candle lighting ceremony during this event, and live music from Mati Braun & Holly Small, teen members of Congregation of Reform Judaism, and Rebecca Kira & Eric Levine.
The ceremony will also recognize and honor students and teachers at the JCC who won the White Rose Essay Contest.
“This year’s program will focus on the importance of L’Dor Vador – the passing along of memories and traditions from generation to generation and include survivor testimony from Thomas Laufer and second generation survivor, Susan Bach, whose parernts were members of the famed Bielski Partisans,” the Holocaust Center noted on its website.
The event will also shine a spotlight on their Holocaust Center’s Tribute Garden.
What is the Tribute Garden for Yom HaShoah?
The public is invited to plant a flower at their Tribute Garden to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day.
“We invite you to add a flower to our virtual or on-site tribute garden to honor a hero of your choosing,” the Holocaust Center noted. “A donation to grow our virtual garden or help to create a new flower garden at the Holocaust Center is a meaningful way to support our mission while remembering or celebrating a survivor or victim. It is also a thoughtful way to commemorate Yom HaShoah, a day of remembrance. Each flower will represent a cherished person, never to be forgotten.”
While visiting the JCC, guests can also stop at the Holocaust Center and view their newest, special exhibit, The Memory Project: Finding Kalman and the world premiere of Never Again-Again.
“Two exhibits, Finding Kalman and Never Again – Again, combine video imaging, paintings, and survivor testimony to evoke the life of a child killed during the Holocaust and spirits of six individuals who survived the genocide in Rwanda,” the Holocaust Center notes. “The exhibition demonstrates the power of creativity and connection in the face of tragedy.”
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Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book When I Woke Up, You Were All Dead. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
