Remembering the Holocaust: National and local awareness events

On January 27, 1945, Nazi Germany’s largest concentration/extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was liberated by Allied troops at the end of World War II, one of several operations to liberate any surviving prisoners. As stories surfaced of the atrocities experienced by prisoners, Auschwitz became, for many, a symbol of the horrors inflicted by the Nazi regime and its efforts to annihilate Europe’s Jewish population. 

Decades later, January 27 was designated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to commemorate the 6 million Jews who perished and to honor those who survived, especially those survivors who are still with us. As their numbers dwindle, those able to share their stories, and those who heard those stories first-hand from parents or other family, must be considered some of society’s most valuable teachers if such atrocities are to be prevented from happening again. 

For those survivors, the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by terror group Hamas aroused painful memories; many sources reported the lives lost that day as the highest single-day total since the Holocaust. The fact that the situation has not been completely resolved, coupled with anti-Semitism worldwide including demonstrations in many U.S. cities, makes it more important than ever to remember the Holocaust and be aware of just how easy it is for deadly ideology to take root in society. Eroding our freedoms is often a subtle process, which if left unchecked due to lack of vigilance can pave the way for greater crimes to be perpetrated against entire populations.   

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum suggests several ways to commemorate the day, including a special live presentation of the Museum’s Stay Connected series. Visit https://www.ushmm.org for more information and the YouTube link. A social media toolkit is also available. In addition, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans will feature special in-person and online events including a special series, “Humans of the Holocaust.” Visit https://www.nationalww2museum.org/events/events-calendar for details. 

Locally, make plans to visit the Faith, Family & Country Heritage Museum, located at 15025 Business Hwy. 13 in Branson West. Director/curator Jim Zbick’s father was a member of the World War II liberation forces, and an exhibit room at the museum is dedicated to Holocaust remembrance. 

Also, mark your calendar and make plans now to attend the special events planned for the Third Annual Holocaust Education and Awareness Week in Branson, scheduled for April 6–12. This special Branson area commemoration is in connection Holocaust Education and Awareness Week in Missouri, which in 2022 became the 20th state to sign the Never Again Education Act. 

The week will include a Film Festival with the theme “Survivors, Rescuers, and Liberators,” at the IMAX Entertainment Complex. Current plans include several acclaimed films: 

“Woman in Gold,” with Dame Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds

“Never Forget,” with Leonard Nimoy and Blythe Danner 

“Blessed is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh” 

“Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Potential Assassin and Rescuer” 

“The Long Way Home,” narrated by Morgan Freeman 

Parents should note that the film festival is appropriate for children ages 13-plus, but that there will also be a special children’s event, “Paddington,” on Saturday, April 12. Children ages 6–12 will learn about the story of a famous bear, including his connection to the Holocaust. 

Shirah Miriam Aumann, founder of the Antisemitism Education Center of the Ozarks, serves as coordinator for the week’s events. Her late husband was a Holocaust survivor, and she honors his memory by dedicating time to educating people through Holocaust Education and Awareness Week and other events. “Mimi” is a trained Holocaust educator with connections to numerous resources both in the U.S. and Israel. 

Visit https://www.aecoedu.org or the Antisemitism Education Center page on Facebook to stay up to date on the film festival and other events, including some special surprises—maybe with a very special piano available for public performance! Watch for details coming soon, and plan to take advantage of these valuable opportunities.