Each year, Temple Beth Israel holds a special commemoration on Holocaust Remembrance Day (in Hebrew, Yom HaShoah) with the express purpose of educating both the Jewish and the wider communities about the lessons learned from that terrible period in history, and also to honor the millions who fell victim to Nazi terror.

For 2017, TBI will present something rather different than in recent years. The program, to be held Sunday, April 23 at 4 p.m. in the TBI Sanctuary, will be centered on a staged reading of excerpts from Night, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel’s personal memoir of his time imprisoned by the Nazis.

Mr. Wiesel died last year at age 87, and a similar event took place earlier this year in New York City, featuring a cast made mostly of noted actors and musicians, each of whom read an excerpt from Mr. Wiesel’s book. The event proved so popular that additional venues had to be found to hold those unable to fit in the theater where it was held, where it was made available on live video.

The TBI presentation will, however, be more locally focused, and will include not only survivors and members of the second and third generations, but also religious, civic and political leaders from the wider community, including Claremont Mayor Larry Schroeder and Police Chief Shelly Vander Veen.

In addition, Rabbi Kupetz, Cantor Buch and special musical guests will also participate. A memorial candle-lighting will also be included and each attendee will receive a candle to light at home, courtesy of the TBI Brotherhood.

“In the current climate of fear and uncertainty in our world,” TBI’s Rabbi Jonathan Kupetz said, “it is especially important that we remember the lessons of recent history, and assure that we are sensitive to the appearance of the warning signs that may also present in our own time.”

In keeping with the spirit of the event, there will not be a formal reception following the program, but there will be an opportunity to meet the participants immediately afterwards. Reservations are not required. There is no charge to attend and all are welcome.

For further information, contact the TBI office at (909) 626-1277 or by email to tbi@tbipomona.org.