Yom HaShoah marks a very dark period in our Jewish history. We vow every year to never forget those who suffered, fought, lost their lives, and those who survived against all odds to tell their stories. We also vow to never again experience the horrors of the Holocaust and make a promise to stand up and defend others who are experiencing genocide.
To observe Yom HaShoah this year, we held three separate events:
On Sunday April 16th, 2023 we hosted a touring group of highly trained New England Dance Ensemble (NEDE.org) members ranging in age from 6-18 for a 40-minute production of “A Child’s View of the Holocaust” in the Temple Beth Abraham social hall.
Artistic Director Barbara Mullen choreographed the original drama ballet in 1990. The production recognizes the atrocities that occurred towards Jews at the hands of the Nazi party in Germany between 1939 and 1945.
Nothing can erase the tragedy of a systematic attempt to exterminate a race, but showing respect for the survivors and regard for the human spirit imparts valuable lessons.
While illuminating historical events, the production may also be applied to contemporary issues including bullying and prejudice.
In 2011, “A Child’s View of the Holocaust” was awarded the prestigious Charles A. Hildebrandt Award from the Cohen Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies at Keene State College.
You can view a recording of the performance here
On Tuesday 4/18 at 3:00 pm, we gathered with the greater Nashua community at the New Hampshire Holocaust Memorial to remember victims and survivors of the Shoah and to reflect on the significance of the Holocaust and all genocides for us in Greater Nashua today. Locally we gather in particular solidarity with the ongoing atrocities in Ukraine and against the Rohingya in Myanmar/Burma. We heard from speakers and had an opportunity to be with others and discuss what the Holocaust compels us to do right now.
On Tuesday 4/18 at 7:00 pm, Temple Beth Abraham and Rivier University invited the public to hear New York Times bestselling author Judy Batalion discuss her book, “The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos.” The author joined us via Zoom, and a Q&A followed for those in-person only.
The event was made possible with support from New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org.
