Marblehead Reporter, MA
April 20 2006

Holocaust commemoration set for April 24

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Many local organizations, temples, churches and colleges are
joining with the Holocaust Center, Boston North to sponsor this
year’s Community Interfaith Commemoration of the Holocaust, Monday,
April 24, 7 p.m., with an art exhibit at 6 p.m. at Peabody Veterans
Memorial High.

“It is vital to remember the Holocaust as a warning of what can happen
when people and nations become indifferent bystanders,” said Holocaust
survivor Sonia Weitz. “To forget the victims would be forgetting that
they ever lived. Most died without leaving anyone behind to remember,
to recite the traditional memorial prayers. To forget would be a
victory for the perpetrators.”

Harvard Law School professor Martha Minow will give the keynote
presentation entitled “Lessons and Parallels, from the Holocaust
to Darfur.” She will be the recipient of the Holocaust Center’s
Service Award.

The program includes the traditional Survivors’ Candle lighting
ceremony, the presentation of the flag by area veterans, a performance
by the Gordon College women’s choir, an interfaith service with
Rev. Thomas Buckley of Andover, Rev. Dr. Susan Jarek-Glidden of Quincy,
Rabbi Myron Geller of Gloucester and Cantor Sam Pessaroff of Peabody.

Doors open at 6 p.m. In addition to student art, there will be an
exhibit on the Armenian genocide presented by Peabody resident Apo
Torosyan. The Social Action Committee and Youth Group from Temple
Ner Tamid will have postcards available to encourage our government
to stop the genocide in Darfur. The video “Present Memories” will be
shown from 6-7 p.m.

Co-sponsoring the commemoration this year are: Temples Ahavath Achim,
B’nai Abraham, Beth Shalom, Congregation Sons of Israel, Emanuel,
Ner Tamid, Shalom, Shiryat Hayam and Sinai; Cohen-Hillel Academy,
Community Covenant Church, Danvers Diversity Committee, Facing History
& Ourselves, Gordon College, Jewish Federation of the North Shore,
office of District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett, Peabody’s No Place
For Hate, Peabody Veterans’ Council, Peter Torigian Life Center and
Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation.

The community is welcome. There is no charge. For information,
call the Holocaust Center, Boston North Inc., 978-531-8288 or visit
holocaustcenterbn.org.