Annual service recalls Holocaust’s survivors.
By: Al Wicklund
MONROE The lighting of candles in remembrance of those who suffered in the Holocaust and a speaker who will stress that the suffering must not be forgotten will both be part of the Yom Hashoah Commemoration in the Monroe Township High School Richard P. Marasco Center for the Performing Arts on April 27.
Survivors of the Holocaust, Nazi Germany’s attempt to destroy the Jewish people before and during World War II, will light memorial candles at 1 p.m., before the program starts at 1:30 p.m.
The program will be presented by the Henry Ricklis Holocaust Memorial Committee. Ted Kartzman and Howard Emen are committee co-chairmen. The late Mr. Ricklis, when in the U.S. Army, was one of the death camp liberators.
Gerald Nathanson, a former chairman still involved in organizing the program, said the Holocaust survivors will light memorial candles in remembrance of those who did not survive.
"We need to remember the past and learn its lessons to deal with the future," Mr. Nathanson said.
The program’s guest speaker will be Dr. Roman Ferber of New York City.
Dr. Ferber, who has played a diverse role in New York’s administrations including being a special adviser to the deputy mayor for community development, will speak on anti-Semitism in the 21st century, the program’s theme.
Mr. Nathanson said the program will include the memorial lighting of a menorah by selected survivors.
He said the invocation will be given by the Rev. Louis Stingel of St. James R.C. Church of Jamesburg. Rabbi Ben Levy of Etz Chaim Congregation of the Monroe Jewish Community Center will be involved in a prayer of mourning and the benediction will be given by Eli Perlman of the Concordia Jewish Center.
He said Mayor Richard Pucci will read a proclamation, while Board of Education President Joe Homoki and Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie will make welcoming remarks.