In honor of Yom Hashoah (April 16), more widely known as Holocaust Memorial Day, the Tampa Jewish Community Center will present a live Skype discussion with filmmaker Steven Pressman, writer and director of 50 Children: the Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus.
The award-winning film tells the story of Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus, who rescued 50 children from Nazi Germany and brought them to the United States.
All are invited to attend the showing and talk from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Yom Hashoah. The day of remembrance, established by Israeli Parliament in 1951, falls two weeks after Passover. In Israel, entertainment venues close on Yom Hashoah and a bell signals a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
Throughout the United States, synagogues and Jewish organizations honor the day with speakers including survivors, authors and historians.
"To survivors, the Holocaust remains real and ever-present, but for some others, 60 years makes the Holocaust seem like a part of ancient history," said Brandy Gold, the center's arts and cultural director. "It is important that we honor this day so that we will always remember."
The day differs from the United Nations' Holocaust Remembrance Day, which takes place in January.
The message remains the same, said Jack Ross, executive director of the Jewish Community Center.
"The lesson of the Holocaust is universal," Ross said. "It is important not only that we never forget but that we never let it happen again."
The center strives to educate the community about Judaism, Jewish and Israeli history, and related culture. On April 26, it will celebrate Israeli Independence Day with a Concert in the Park from 2 to 6 p.m. on its campus at 13009 Community Campus Drive. The event will include food, live music and a 6 p.m. showing of the film Above and Beyond, the story of the volunteer airmen who laid the foundation for the Israeli air force.
For more information, visit jewishtampa.com.
Contact Sarah Whitman at sarahrothwhitman@gmail.com.