52nd Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration
On Sunday, April 27, over 400 people braved the rain and filled the MJCC Social Hall for Memphis Jewish Federation’s 52nd Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration. Co-chaired by Dorothy Goldwin and Marty Kelman, this year’s program featured Holocaust survivor Frank “Misa” Grunwald. Born in Czechoslovakia in 1932, his childhood was brought to an abrupt end when Nazis rolled into Czechoslovakia in 1939.
Grunwald experienced some of the most notorious camps in Europe from 1939 to his liberation in 1945. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1951. His story of strength and survival is documented in the 2012 award winning film Misa’s Fugue.
The program also featured Presentation of Colors by the Jewish War Veterans, Voices of the New Generation March by BBYO teens, the joint BSSS-MHA children’s choir, teen violinist Alana Olswing, candlelighting by six Memphis Holocaust survivors, a musical selection by our community’s cantors, an essay reading by St. Mary’s Episcopal School senior Brooke Saharovici, first place winner in MJF’s fifth annual Holocaust essay contest, recitation of Tehillim and Kaddish by second generation survivor Dr. Seth Kaufman, the chanting of El Maleh Rachamim by Cantor Ricky Kampf, and closing remarks by Rabbi Joel Finkelstein.
Adorning the walls of the social hall were photographs of Memphis Holocaust survivors, living and deceased, which were part of the Living On exhibit, generously on loan to our community from the Tennessee Holocaust Commission.
Fifth Annual Holocaust Art and Essay Contest Winners
This year's Holocaust art and essay contest asked students to address the theme of The Kindertransport: Reflections on the 75th Anniversary of the Rescue Operation of Children.
Students reflected on the role and efforts of the organizers in Britain and in Nazi-occupied Europe, the impact on the parents who sent off their children, the voices and legacy of the children, and the heroism of the British foster parents humanitarian agencies.
We received 77 art entries (the most ever) from Bornblum Solomon Schechter School, Colonial Middle School, Collierville Middle School, Cordova Middle School, Margolin Hebrew Academy, St. Agnes Academy, and DeBusk Elementary (Greeneville, TN).
All the artwork was featured in a special exhibit curated by students from the Memphis College of Art in the MJCC Art Gallery.
The winners were recognized at the 52nd Annual Yom HaShoah Observance which took place on April 27, 2014. Congratulations to all for their thoughtful and powerful entries and we thank everyone who made this year's contest a meaningful and rewarding experience!
2014 Essay Contest Winners
First Place: Brooke Saharovici, 12th Grade, St. Mary's Episcopal School
Second Place: Michael Scilken, 10th Grade, Lausanne Collegiate School
Read Brooke's essay. Read Michael's essay.
2014 Art Contest Winners
First Place: Kaylyn Webster, 8th Grade, Colonial Middle School
Second Place: Ellen Lemm, 8th Grade, St. Agnes Academy
Third Place: Rebecca Brown, 8th Grade, Margolin Hebrew Academy
