On Thursday, May 5 over 600 people joined us for MJF's 54th Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration. Chaired by Dr. Irv Cherny, the annual event honored Holocaust survivors living among us, remembered those we have lost and celebrated their legacy.
Two key elements of the observance paid tribute to Holocaust survivors who came to Memphis after escaping Nazi Europe. The Nina Katz and Memphis Holocaust Survivors Legacy Sculpture, a glass sculpture honoring all 200+ Memphis survivors and created by local artist Brian Russell, was unveiled. And this year's keynote presentation was the premiere of a new film, Lives Restarted, made in Memphis and featuring local Holocaust survivors.
This annual commemoration program is sponsored by Memphis Jewish Federation and co-sponsored with the Memphis Jewish Community Center. Supporting the program are Anshei Sphard-Beth El Emeth Congregation, Baron Hirsch Congregation, Beth Sholom Synagogue, Chabad-Lubavitch of Tennessee, Facing History and Ourselves, Or Chadash Synagogue, Temple Israel and Young Israel of Memphis.
See the trailer for the documentary, LIVES RESTARTED. The documentary traces the lives of Memphis Holocaust survivors after their release from the camps and their individual journeys to find freedom in the U.S.
Thank you to everyone who made the seventh annual Holocaust Art and Essay Contest a meaningful and rewarding experience for all the entrants:
Our Judges:
Memphis Commissioners of The Tennessee Holocaust Commission and their spouses for their sponsorship of cash prizes to all contest winners:
Jack and Marilyn Belz, Allen and Eileen Exelbierd, Jan and Andy Groveman, Josh and Joanna Lipman, Leonid and Friderica Saharovici
We would also like to thank local artist Guyla Wanderman for curating the contest art exhibit that is currently on display in the lobby of the MJCC.
2016 Essay Contest Winners
2016 Art Contest Winners