Members of Congregation Shirat Shalom, founded by a Holocaust survivor observe Holocaust Remembrance Day.
April 30, 2006 (Press Release) --
On April 24, 2006, Congregation Shirat Shalom (Elgin, IL) marked Yom Ha’Shoah v'HaG'vurah (Holocaust & Heroism Day) with its annual remembrance service.
Holocaust Remembrance Day is particularly important to Congregation Shirat Shalom, which was founded by a Holocaust survivor, Mr. Robert LeRoy, of blessed memory, and his family. The service, compiled and led by Hazzan Alan Smolen, included biblical and contemporary selections and the lighting of six memorial candles, each candle representing one millions Jews.
Mr. LeRoy’s daughter, Ms. Cathy Ilani, added a new symbol: six yellow tulips in a vase to remember the six million. She read a statement explaining that tulips originate in the Holland, a country that never gave up its Jews willingly to the Nazis. Tulips have six petals and are a sign of spring and new life. Jews had to wear yellow Stars of David/Jude badges.
Hazzan Smolen told us about attending a local lecture given by Ms. Linda M. Hooper, Principal of Whitwell Middle School in Whitwell, TN. Ms. Hooper spoke about the “Paper Clip Project” to teach children about diversity and tolerance.
The service resumed with the recitation of the Memorial Prayer and the Mourners' Kaddish in memory of the six million. A special version of the Kaddish was recited, interspersed with the names of 17 places where Jews were murdered, providing appropriate tension - a prayer affirming life and faith, intermingled with places that extinguished life and caused great questioning of faith. The number 17, Hazzan Smolen explained, is one less than 18, the Hebrew number that signifies life.
Mr. Robert LeRoy passed away just over a year ago. However, he will not be forgotten. His widow, Mrs. Carol LeRoy, donated a memorial to Congregation Shirat Shalom in memory of Mr. LeRoy and over 40 family members who perished during the Holocaust in June 1944. The bronze tablet mounted on gray granite depicts a praying Jew at the Western Wall in Jerusalem with the initial words of the Kaddish above and the main inscription reads: "In sacred memory of the six million martyrs senselessly slain merely because they were Jews."
Jews, in particular, must remember the Holocaust and Heroism, as well as the kindness demonstrated by some Righteous Gentiles who helped save some Jews from certain death. The expressions “Never Again” and “Don’t Be Silent” in the event of any genocide were stressed by Hazzan Smolen.
Congregation Shirat Shalom welcomes visitors to see our Holocaust Memorial and attend weekly Shabbat (Sabbath) services on Saturdays at 9:45 a.m. Shirat Shalom is located at 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin between Beverly Road and Route 59. For more information, please call 847.695.6246 or visit our Website at www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.
Thank you.
Linda Blatchford
Secretary
Congregation Shirat Shalom
www.CongregationShiratShalom.org
Holocaust Remembrance Day is particularly important to Congregation Shirat Shalom, which was founded by a Holocaust survivor, Mr. Robert LeRoy, of blessed memory, and his family. The service, compiled and led by Hazzan Alan Smolen, included biblical and contemporary selections and the lighting of six memorial candles, each candle representing one millions Jews.
Mr. LeRoy’s daughter, Ms. Cathy Ilani, added a new symbol: six yellow tulips in a vase to remember the six million. She read a statement explaining that tulips originate in the Holland, a country that never gave up its Jews willingly to the Nazis. Tulips have six petals and are a sign of spring and new life. Jews had to wear yellow Stars of David/Jude badges.
Hazzan Smolen told us about attending a local lecture given by Ms. Linda M. Hooper, Principal of Whitwell Middle School in Whitwell, TN. Ms. Hooper spoke about the “Paper Clip Project” to teach children about diversity and tolerance.
The service resumed with the recitation of the Memorial Prayer and the Mourners' Kaddish in memory of the six million. A special version of the Kaddish was recited, interspersed with the names of 17 places where Jews were murdered, providing appropriate tension - a prayer affirming life and faith, intermingled with places that extinguished life and caused great questioning of faith. The number 17, Hazzan Smolen explained, is one less than 18, the Hebrew number that signifies life.
Mr. Robert LeRoy passed away just over a year ago. However, he will not be forgotten. His widow, Mrs. Carol LeRoy, donated a memorial to Congregation Shirat Shalom in memory of Mr. LeRoy and over 40 family members who perished during the Holocaust in June 1944. The bronze tablet mounted on gray granite depicts a praying Jew at the Western Wall in Jerusalem with the initial words of the Kaddish above and the main inscription reads: "In sacred memory of the six million martyrs senselessly slain merely because they were Jews."
Jews, in particular, must remember the Holocaust and Heroism, as well as the kindness demonstrated by some Righteous Gentiles who helped save some Jews from certain death. The expressions “Never Again” and “Don’t Be Silent” in the event of any genocide were stressed by Hazzan Smolen.
Congregation Shirat Shalom welcomes visitors to see our Holocaust Memorial and attend weekly Shabbat (Sabbath) services on Saturdays at 9:45 a.m. Shirat Shalom is located at 30W509 Shoe Factory Road in Elgin between Beverly Road and Route 59. For more information, please call 847.695.6246 or visit our Website at www.CongregationShiratShalom.org.
Thank you.
Linda Blatchford
Secretary
Congregation Shirat Shalom
www.CongregationShiratShalom.org
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