This year’s Holocaust commemoration, Yom HaShoah 2022: Faith & Healing, will be presented on Wednesday, April 27 at 7 pm. As in past years, this program will honor the victims, remember the survivors, and educate the community about the history and lessons of the Holocaust. This virtual program will be hosted by Temple Emanuel.

Yom HaShoah 2022 will feature stories and experiences of the Holocaust from survivors. This year’s featured speaker is Scott Lenga, the author of The Watchmakers: The Story of Brotherhood, Survival, and Hope amid the Holocaust, which tells the story of his father, Harry Lenga, and the Lenga family. It is a first-person account of Scott’s childhood, the lessons learned from his own father, his harrowing tribulations, and his inspiring life before, during, and after the war.

The program will include a candle-lighting service, liturgical readings, and prayers. Four St. Louis Shinshinim, 18 year old Israel emissaries, who defer their army service for one year to volunteer with Jewish communities abroad, will also participate.

Music will be performed by Mischa and Tova Braitberg of Aria Musicians. Mischa and Tova are the son and granddaughter of survivors Szyfra and Gregor Braitberg (of blessed memory.)

This community-wide commemoration will be streamed on YouTube.

“By commemorating Yom HaShoah each year, our community honors the survivors and the victims of the Holocaust.” said Helen Turner, Director of Education and Interpretation. “It is important that we come together, even virtually, to mark this important, solemn occasion.”