54th Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration
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.
Lives Restarted Trailer
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.
Holocaust Art and Essay Competition
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:
- Carol Buchman, Local Artist and Art Teacher, Grace St. Lukes School (art)
- Iris Harkavy, Local Artist (art)
- Rachel Shankman, Former Executive Director, Facing History & Ourselves/ Memphis office (essay)
- Stephen Tabachnick, Professor of English, University of Memphis (essay)
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
- First Place - JJ Kampf, 11th Grade, Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys. Read JJ's essay.
- Second Place - Amelia Baran, 11th Grade, Houston High School. Read Amelia's essay.
- Honorable Mention- Anna Stapleton, St. Andrew's-Sewanee School. Read Anna's essay.
2016 Art Contest Winners
- First Place: Jehiely Garcia, 8th Grade, Colonial Middle School
- Second Place: Zach Funk, 8th Grade, Bornblum Jewish Community School
- Third Place (tie): Rachel Heck, 8th Grade, St. Agnes Academy
- Third Place (tie): Haley Andre, 8th Grade, St. Agnes Academy
