On Wednesday, April 23, community members gathered at Beth El the Beaches Synagogue for an evening of remembrance and worship to recognize Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The program brought together members and clergy from multiple organizations in the area, such as the Jacksonville Jewish Center, the Jewish Federation & Foundation, the Etz Chaim Synagogue and The Temple, for a moving ceremony.
“Tonight, we remember the Shoah, the millions of people murdered,” said Rabbi Benjamin Dyme of Beth El the Beaches Synagogue during opening remarks. “Let us meditate on how we can make the world better in their honor.”
Mariam Feist, CEO of the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, also shared remarks before Melissa William, a Holocaust educator at LJD Jewish Family & Community Services introduced the next speaker.
Daniel Ostfeld, a third-generation Holocaust survivor, shared his family’s account of Holocaust survival by recounting his grandfather’s journey.
“I’m very honored to be here and very honored to call my grandfather my grandfather,” Ostfeld said. “His life could be the story and plot of many books. It’s the story about how, when he was just 15 years old, he went to Hell and came back.”
Following Ostfeld’s testimony, six survivors and generational survivors came up one at a time to light six candles in remembrance of the 6 million Jewish victims lost during the Holocaust.
After the six candles were lit, the floor was opened to other community members in attendance who could come to the podium and speak the names of loved ones impacted by the Holocaust.
The evening was marked by heartfelt prayers, a strong sense of community and solemn remembrance of those present in spirit.
