A Holocaust Remembrance program, presented by Temple Shalom of Central Florida, will be held at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church on Monday, April 24. The program is at 4 p.m.; doors open at 3 pm. The featured speaker will be Villager Joe Fenster, a Holocaust survivor.
The theme for this year’s program is Stolen Lives ~ What Could Have Been? Fenster will talk about his life as a Jewish child during World War II in Paris. He lost his parents in the Holocaust at age seven, was hidden in Normandy and witnessed the U.S. troops arriving after D-Day. Highlighted in his talk will also be his move to the United States, joining the military and making a success of his life.
The program will also feature a short play written by Phyllis Kalter. It is a dramatization of what Anne Frank’s life might have been had she lived.
Local survivors, military liberators, second generation and partisans will be in attendance at the event; some of their stories will be highlighted.
The winners of the middle school writing competition will be awarded. Participating students were asked to read a Holocaust related book and write from the point of view of being in that situation and what they would have done. The education committee of Temple Shalom comprised of former teachers selected the winners.
The Villages Charter Elementary School choir will perform.
This program is a free event. St. Timothy’s church is located at 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake. Questions about the program should be directed to Temple Shalom at (352) 748-1800. There is always a large crowd for this popular annual event; early arrival is recommended.
