Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Each year the Holocaust Center provides a community program for Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Day of Remembrance. This year's commemoration, scheduled for May 1 at 4 p.m., will be held in the gymnasium at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center. There is no charge to attend, and reservations are not required.

In addition to traditional music and local survivors lightning candles in remembrance of Hitler's victims, the program will feature a conversation with Peter Homburger, a survivor who now lives in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He is the uncle of a Maitland resident Dr. Eve Homburger, who was instrumental in arranging for him to speak here. He was rescued in the Kindertransport, and will talk about that massive effort in 1939 and the impact it had in his life.

Terrance Hunter, program coordinator of the Center, noted that Homburger's presentation has a special meaning during the Center's 2016 cultural season.

"We have been focusing on the impact of the Holocaust on children this year," he stated. "We have an exhibit on the Kindertransport due to be installed in April, and a series of events that looks at the long-term effects of conflict on young people. I am delighted that our speaker can address this important topic so well because of his own experience."

Winners of the Student Creative Arts Contest will be honored at the event. This year's theme is Children in the Time of the Holocaust, and it is open to all public, private and home-school students grades K-12. 

Students are reminded that the deadline for entering the Yom HaShoah Student Creative Arts Contest is April 1.Complete information about the contest is at holocaustedu.org.

For additional information about the program contact Terrance Hunter at 407-628-0555 x 225.