BIRMINGHAM – The Holocaust Days of Remembrance, an annual observance of Yom HaShoah by the state of Alabama, and the rededication of the Anne Frank Tree in Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham will be streamed online on Sunday, April 11 at 2 p.m. CST.

The Holocaust Days of Remembrance (Yom HaShoah) solemnly observes the memory of the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust and honors our Alabama survivors and their families.

Anne Frank, a young Jewish victim of the Holocaust who is famous for keeping a diary of her experiences, often looked out upon a large horse chestnut tree in the garden as she and her family hid from Nazi capture. For her, the tree symbolized freedom as well as nature, which she longed to enjoy once again. In this spirit, we will hold the Anne Frank Tree Rededication at Kelly Ingram Park. The new tree, an American beech, will replace the horse chestnut tree planted 11 years ago.

The featured speaker will be Pastor Chris Edmonds. Edmonds recently received the Righteous Among the Nations award on behalf of his father, World War II hero Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds who saved Jewish American soldiers in a prison of war camp in Germany, captured during the Battle of the Bulge. The award is from Israel and Yad Vashem, the world’s Holocaust Remembrance Center.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will read a proclamation and the Alabama Legislature has planned a presentation. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is scheduled to open the program and will be followed by Pastor Agnes Lover of St. Paul AME Church in Montgomery, who will deliver the invocation.

The program includes music by Violinist Niv Ashkenazi as part of Violins of Hope, an artistic project comprised of instruments that were owned by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust. There will also be a candle-lighting ceremony with Holocaust survivors and their families; a memorial prayer chanted by Birmingham-based Temple Emanu-El Cantor Robert Wittner; and a closing prayer by Pastor Ed Nettles of Freewill Baptist Church in Montgomery.

Educational materials will be available for schools to prepare students to watch the program.

The program is organized by the Alabama Holocaust Commission, Birmingham Holocaust Education Center and The Jewish Community Relations Council of The Birmingham Jewish Federation.

Contact Information:
Zoe Weil Programs and Outreach Director, Birmingham Holocaust Education Center zoe.weil@bhecinfo.org 205-795-4181