April 29, 2019
Contact: Shira Burns
(617) 457-8673
Who Will Tell Our Story? Holocaust Commemoration to Focus on Transmission of Memory in the Face of Rising Antisemitism
(Boston, MA) – The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC) and its partners will present Who Will Tell Our Story?, a community commemoration of Yom HaShoah, on Sunday, May 5th, at 2:00pm, at Faneuil Hall in Boston. This annual commemoration convenes the Greater Boston community to honor survivors and pay tribute to those who perished. This year’s commemoration will center on the transmission of memory from survivors to generations to come and will feature testimony from Holocaust survivor and Sharon resident Janet Singer Applefield, as well as remarks from her daughter, Deb Milley. Janet shares her story as a child survivor of the Holocaust to thousands of people each year, helping to raise awareness and understanding of the dangers of prejudice. Her testimony encourages children and adults to stand up to any kind of discrimination and injustice. Now more than ever, our community must stand united against antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred in all its forms.
Click here to read The Boston Globe’s coverage of last year’s commemoration.
“As part of a sacred duty, we come together to remember and pay homage to the Six Million Jews who lost their lives in history’s darkest moment,” said Rick Mann, JCRC Holocaust Commemoration Committee Chair. “This year we reflect on the challenges we face as a community to ensure the fulfillment of this obligation in the years to come…While we all have a role to play, it is the progeny of the survivors who will be at the forefront in carrying the message from generation to generation.”
The event will also feature recognition of the winners of JCRC’s annual Israel Arbeiter Holocaust Essay Contest for grades 6-12. The winning essay, “I Stood Up,” details a 12th grader’s encounter with a swastika at her high school and how she took action. The musical portion of the program will be provided by Temple Israel Sharon’s Shir Rhythm A cappella choir.
Who Will Tell Our Story? is presented in partnership with the American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants of Greater Boston, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Boston 3G, United Way, Facing History and Ourselves, and Jewish Family & Children’s Services.
For information, registration or to support the event, visit https://www.jcrcboston.org/events/yomhashoah2018/.
Speaker Bios
Janet Singer Applefield, Survivor TestimonyJanet shares her story as a child survivor of the Holocaust to thousands of people each year, helping to raise awareness and understanding of the dangers of prejudice. Her testimony encourages children and adults to stand up to any kind of discrimination and injustice. Deb Milley, Second Generation Survivor
Janet’s daughter, Deb, will share her perspective on what it means to be a critical link to the next generation of descendants—the wonderful blessings and the heavy burdens that accompany this important legacy. About Jewish Community Relations Council
JCRC defines and advances the values, interests, and priorities of the organized Jewish community in greater Boston in the public square. Visit us at www.jcrcboston.org.
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