The Henry Ricklis Holocaust Memorial Committee, Monroe, will hold its annual Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial) Observance at 1 p.m. April 19 in the Marasco Auditorium at Monroe Township Middle School, 1629 Perrineville Road. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. for yahrzeit (memorial) candle lighting. Seating will be on a first-come basis.
The theme of this year’s observance, “Lost Lives, Lost Art,” will focus on art that was stolen or destroyed by the Nazis during the Holocaust period. The courageous efforts of the Monuments Men — the U.S. Army unit depicted in the recent George Clooney film — in recovering and returning the looted art to its rightful owners, will be discussed.
Keynote speaker will be Harry Ettlinger, a member of the Monuments Men unit. The program will include an original new film by Amy Antelis on the Bloch-Bauer family and the theft of their artwork. There will be a menorah-lighting ceremony. Author and Holocaust survivor Judith Sherman will recite a new work. Vocalist Naomi Miller will sing a tribute to Carl Lustbader, with original lyrics by Joanne Howard.
For more information, call Nina Wolff at 732-605-7811 or email nwolff0325@aol.com.