Holocaust Remembrance program on April 23

The City of Oak Ridge has proclaimed April 23 to be Holocaust Remembrance Day for 2017.

The Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, or JCOR, and the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, or ORUUC, have partnered together to study the Holocaust and to conduct a Holocaust Memorial Service. The service will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the JCOR Sanctuary at 101 West Madison Lane in Oak Ridge on April 23. There will be a candle lighting ceremony conducted by Mira Kimmelman, as well as song, readings, and prayers.

The Holocaust Memorial Service is a community service sponsored by the Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership, and the public is encouraged to attend, a press release said. The Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership is a new community organization based out of ORUUC, and it is designed to bring people from different religious backgrounds together so that the group can educate, eliminate prejudice, and build a stronger community, the press release said.

Mira Kimmelman, a local Holocaust survivor, has been preparing and conducting the Holocaust Remembrance Service for many years. Kimmelman is the author of “Echoes From the Holocaust: A Memoir” (1997) and “Life beyond the Holocaust: Memories & Realities” (2005). She spent many years lecturing to various community groups and classes, the press release said.

While she no longer lectures, she continues to plan and participate in this memorial service designed to teach about the lessons of bigotry, persecution and hatred, and help us remember a tragic event in world history, the press release said. Joining her in this effort are Ronnie Bogard from JCOR and ORUUC members Jinx Watson and Martha Deaderick.

“Together they have created a strong partnership between the two congregations and a commitment to carry on the mission to educate about the Holocaust so that it will not be forgotten,” the press release said.

A copy of the Holocaust Remembrance Day City proclamation is provided to all those attending the service along with the program. The Oak Ridge Chapter of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs will have yellow memorial candles that will be available to attendees. The candle is modeled after a traditional Jewish memorial Yahrzeit candle that burns for 24 hours during periods of mourning and on the anniversary of death. After the ceremony, these candles can be taken home and lighted in memory of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

This press release was submitted by Rhonda Bogard.

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