The Elon University community will come together this week in various ways to remember the over 6 million people who were killed in the Holocaust.
Through film screenings, guest speakers, and campus wide events, community members will have opportunity to learn more about the victims of the Holocaust.
Though most of those murdered were Jewish, the Nazis also targeted the LGBTQ community, various sects of Christians, the Roma/Sinti community, and those with physical or mental disabilities. The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust, during which local governments, schools, religious organizations, and civic centers host observances and remembrance activities for their communities.
A committee of students has organized this week’s events. Committee members are: Nikki Gelfand, Vanessa Vargo, Alanna Fridfertig, Jamie Buren, Hailey Fleishman, Amber Bates, Allie Bennett, and Melanie Insley.
Elon programs this week include the following:
Tuesday, April 14
College Coffee Table
9:40 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
Stop by the Holocaust Remembrance Week table to get a ribbon to wear throughout the week. Ribbons are available in different colors, which represent different groups that were targeted by the Nazis.
Wednesday, April 15
“A Story and a Name”
11-3 p.m.
Moseley Table
Cards from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will be available with the story of a survivor or victim. These stories help to personalize the events of the Holocaust, and that no two experiences were the same.
Wednesday, April 15
Screening of “One Survivor Remembers” and Panel Discussion
7-9 p.m.
McBride Gathering Space
The documentary short “One Survivor Remembers” will be shown and following the short film, we will be having a panel discussion with first and second generation Holocaust survivors, including Elon Professor Yoram Lubling, Esther Lederman, Dr. Marlene Appley, and Adrianne Stone. Sharon Halperin, founder of the Center for Holocaust Genocide and Human Rights Education in NC (Holocaust Speakers Bureau), will be moderating the discussion.
Thursday, April 16
Yom HaShoah Reading of the Names
7 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Moseley front steps
This is an annual Elon event where the campus comes together to read the names of some of the millions who were killed during the Holocaust; volunteers will read for 10 minutes each. Sign up here to read names at some point throughout the day.
Friday, April 17
Indian Shabbat
6:30 p.m.
Lakeside 212
Before dinner, there were be a commemoration of the Holocaust with readings and the lighting of a Yarhzeit candle.