For 3Gs, Yom HaShoah is a time to pause and reflect on the meaning of our grandparents' survival and our own responsibility to keep alive their testimony and the memory of the vibrant communities they -- and the world -- lost. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to necessitate distance between us, our week was filled with diverse virtual programming to bring our community together in remembrance. We’re proud that 3GDC played a central role in these memorials, taking part in six events over three days.
3GDC Event with Sixth &I and JCRC
Thanks to 3GDC’s Remembrance Committee, our annual Yom HaShoah program featured the powerful testimony of Holocaust survivor Esther Geizhals as interviewed by her granddaughter, 3G Mea Geizhals. We also heard from Adam Zimmerman and his father William on their message about preserving the memory of the Holocaust. Almost 200 participants tuned in for the full program, which included prayers from Rabbi Aaron Potek, a virtual candle lighting, and a dialogue about the rise of modern anti-Semitism to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten. Watch the full program below.
Montgomery County Proclamation
Our own 3GDC President Elana Rosenfield joined with other local organization leaders to accept a proclamation issued by the Montgomery County Council commemorating Yom HaShoah. The virtual event was livestreamed on the Council’s page and can be viewed below.
Tufts University Event
Through Tufts University, the Cummings Hillel Program for Holocaust and Genocide Education partnered with 3GDC to host a memorial event for Yom HaShoah focused on examining intergenerational trauma and the power of storytelling. The virtual event featured 3GDC Remembrance Committee Chair Zac Trupp, his grandfather, and his mother, all sharing their unique perspectives and how they have been impacted by the atrocities of the Holocaust. The event was moderated by 3GDC Board Member AJ Siegel.
Moishe House Zikaron B’Salon
3GDC partnered with Moishe House Northern Virginia, Moishe House Mosaic Fairfax, and Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia to host a virtual Zikaron B’Salon (“Memories in the Living Room”) in commemoration of Yom HaShoah. The event featured a survivor sharing a first-hand experience, as well as a grandchild of a survivor, 3GDC speaker Justin Weitz.
GW Hillel & AU Hillel Event
American University Hillel and GW Hillel hosted an event for students to hear from 3Gs as part of Holocaust Remembrance Week. Jeff Robins participated on behalf of 3GDC as panelist, sharing his family’s testimony and addressing questions from students. Photos below.
JCRC Event
Three members of our 3GDC Remembrance Committee, Ilana Weltman, AJ Siegel, and Zac Trupp, served on the planning committee to help the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) produce its Yom HaShoah virtual event featuring keynote speaker Elisha Wiesel, the son of Elie Wiesel.
Finally, our Yom HaShoah commemoration continues through the month of April with both our podcast launch and 3GDC’s Wall of Remembrance. We invite you to listen to “30 Minutes with a 3G” and join us in adding a candle to our virtual wall with a contribution to help further our work of honoring the legacy of our grandparents through education, advocacy, and community-building.