Several events hosted by various offices and programs commemorate the millions of lives lost during World War II, starting April 28 with a powerful public event on the front steps of Moseley Center.
Campus speakers, book displays and film screenings mark Holocaust Remembrance Week at Elon University as the community remembers and mourns the evil atrocities of World War II throughout Europe.
An estimated 6 million people, mostly Jewish citizens but also those living with disabilities and those who were among the LGBTQ community, perished at the hands of the Nazis. The U.S. Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust, and Elon’s programs coincide with similar events at colleges and universities across the country.
Elon programs this week include the following:
Monday, April 28
Reading of the Names
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Moseley Front Steps
In 10-minute intervals, volunteers will spend 12 hours on the front steps of Moseley reading aloud just a tiny fraction of the names of Holocaust victims. Reader volunteers should click this link to sign up.
Monday, April 28
Maj. Gen. Sidney Shachnow, “One Man’s Incredible Journey Against Considerable Odds”
7:30 p.m.
Numen Lumen Pavilion
Born in Lithuania and imprisoned during the Holocaust in a German concentration camp, Sidney Shachnow escaped from captivity and eventually settled in the United States, where he attained the rank of major general and served as commander of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command. Marking Holocaust Remembrance Day, Shachnow will share his experiences of and reflections on the horrors of the Holocaust.
Tuesday, April 29
Rachel Kizhnerman and Shelly Weiner, “We Survived the Holocaust”
9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Johnston Hall
RSVP to truittcenter@elon.edu for the opportunity to hear from cousins and Holocaust survivors Rachel Kizhnerman and Shelly Weiner.
Thursday, May 1
Screening of the Film, “Remembrance”
7-9 p.m.
LaRose Digital Theater
The film “Remembrance” will be screened, followed by a discussion led by students from the Holocaust Journey Winter Term course.
Friday, May 2
Rainbow Shabbat with Spectrum
6-7:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Both Jews and LGBTQ people were targeted and killed by the Nazi regime during the Holocaust. Elon Hillel and Spectrum are joining together for a Shabbat dinner remembering and the members of our communities who were persecuted, while celebrating our identities. Everyone is welcome!
Ongoing throughout the week there will be an exhibit of Holocaust related books and DVDs on display at the Sklut Hillel Center. A small-group dinner with Sidney Shachnow and a lunch with Rachel Kizhnerman and Shelley Weiner are also planned.
Contact Nancy Luberoff, director of Hillel, for faculty or student invitations to one of these meals. Email: nluberoff@elon.edu.