On Monday evening, April 13th, more than 200 community members gathered at the J to observe Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, in a powerful and deeply moving program featuring Holocaust survivor and guest speaker Frank Shatz.

At 100 years old, Frank's presence alone was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and his words left no one unmoved. Shatz, who survived a Nazi slave labor camp, escaped, and courageously joined the anti-Nazi underground movement in Hungary, held the audience captivated as he shared poignant stories of survival and resistance. With a twinkle in his eye, he also wove in moments of humor — reminding us that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit finds a way to persevere and even laugh. CLICK HERE to read Frank's story.

The evening also included the presentation of awards for the 25th Annual Holocaust Writing and Visual Arts Competition, honoring the next generation of voices committed to keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive. It was a profound reminder of why we gather: to remember, to honor and to ensure that the stories of survivors like Frank Shatz are never forgotten.