Tikvat Israel News

2006 ... 2007 ... 2008 ... 2009 ... 2010 ... 2011 ... 2012 -

January ... February ... March ... April ... May ... June ... July ... August ... September ... October ... November ... December

TI Stages Moving Yom Hashoah Remembrance.........posted May 1, 2006

In silence and wearing paper clips on their lapels, necklines and pockets, some 225 members of Tikvat Israel and the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church emerged from TI's social hall after viewing the documentary film "Paper Clips." For them, and others who see this 90-minute film, the common paper clip is transformed into a powerful symbol of remembrance of the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust.

"Paper Clips" relates the unique and heartwarming story of a middle school in Whitwell, Tennessee, that embarks upon a project to teach its homogenous students about diversity and prejudice. In studying the Holocaust and attempting to understand its magnitude by collecting a paper clip for every life lost, the hearts and minds of this small, rural, low socio-economic community are changed forever.

The viewing of "Paper Clips" was the first part of TI's and SSPC's annual Yom Hashoah commemoration program on April 23. Following the movie, everyone gathered in the sanctuary for a short service and remarks by the film's director Elliot Berlin.

The service began with a procession of teenagers from both congregations carrying yellow memorial candles to the bima and placing them among the pictures of Holocaust victims and survivors on display there. This was followed by several songs by the joint TI/SSPC choir, intermingled with responsive readings and prayers.

Berlin, the director of the award-winning documentary, spoke about the film's personal impact on him and then answered a steady stream of questions from the audience regarding details of the movie. He also stayed for the reception after the service to continue the dialogue with congregants.

The tzedakah offering, collected toward the end of the service, was earmarked for the American Jewish World Service for Darfur Relief.

The program ended with Cantor Helzner leading the assembly in the song "Al Sh'losha D'varim," a song based upon text from Pirkei Avot: "Upon three things is the world sustained – upon truth, upon justice, and upon peace."

The TI/SSPC joint Holocaust commemoration program began 22 years ago when Temple Israel and SSPC were next-door neighbors in Silver Spring. It has continued since Temple Israel's merger with Beth Tikva in 1997.

Special thanks for this year's program go to the Reverend Dr. Currie Burris Jr., and Rabbi Howard Gorin who led the service; Russell Moore, the combined choir director; members of the choir; Marcia Bronstein, choir accompanist; members of the joint Holocaust Remembrance Committee (Edna Breit, Robert Copaken, Jo Crichton, Ellen Eisner, Inez Frank, Tony Freedman, Dan Jacobs, Harvey Kaplan, Julia Schaeffer); and Cantor Helzner, committee chair.