The 2013 Holocaust Memorial Observances here were the most comprehensive and extensive in our 30-plus year history. We featured two Survivors of the Holocaust, Eric Cahn of Denver and Albert Garih of the Washington, D. C., area, 2 presentations by University of Northern Colorado Faculty, the Litany of the Martyrs, the play “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” at the UCCC Hensel-Phelps Theater, numerous films, Survivor presentations at 4 area schools, the key note Survivor presentation at the Ballrooms of the UNC University Center, and an interfaith memorial service at Beth Israel Synagogue. 

We gratefully acknowledge our partnership with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum again this year, and in particular cite Rachel Wagner, Program Coordinator Survivor Affairs at the Museum, for her work with us to have a Survivor volunteer from the USHMM be with us. Rachel arranged for Survivor Mrs. Estelle Laughlin to be our feature presenter. About a week before the Observances began, Estelle received an invitation from President Obama to join the United States delegation to the ceremonies in Warsaw, Poland, commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which Mrs. Laughlin witnessed as a child. Of course, such an invitation is not one to turn down, as understandably, Mrs. Laughlin did not. She returned to Warsaw for the first time since the day the NAZIS overran the Ghetto after a month-long struggle against the valiant defenders and resistance fighters. The forces of the Third Reich deported those who had not died in the fighting or whom they had not murdered.  Estelle was among those whom they deported. She survived Majdanek and several labor camps. 

Rachel then invited Survivor Mr. Albert Garih, another Museum volunteer, to participate in our Observances.  He was available and enthusiastic to join us, and he fulfilled all the venues that we had arranged for Estelle. Albert’s Holocaust experiences are of survival in France during the NAZI occupation. He and his family were often on the run. They owe their survival to Christians who hid them.  His family members had to separate during that dreadful era. Attendees at his appearances at Chappelow K-8 Arts Magnet School, Franklin Middle School, Eaton High School, and the UNC Ballrooms received him warmly and appreciated his sharing his Holocaust experiences, which he couched in the Holocaust timeline of history. 

Denver Holocaust survivor Eric Cahn gave a morning presentation for middle school students and other attendees at The Resurrection Fellowship Church School in Windsor, CO.  At least 400 people attended his presentation. He expected to deliver a second presentation in the sanctuary of The Resurrection Fellowship Church, but inclement weather forced cancellation of that evening event. He will reschedule his presentation at “The Rez,” and we will notify you of the date and time. 

UNC Professor Joan Clinefelter presented “Holocaust by Bullets: From Mass Shootings to the Death Camps,” and her audience found her session to riveting and inspiring. We owe Joan much thanks for bringing her scholarly expertise and her dynamic style to this presentation. 

Thanks also go to … Beth Israel Congregation and Greeley Interfaith Association, the two founding groups of these Holocaust Memorial Observances and the following people without whose help and dedication, the Observances would not have been as successful:

• Joe Bluestein for his organizing of the Litany of the Martyrs and for his and Carol Bluestein’s overseeing its smooth and meaningful presence at the UNC University Center
• Those who read names of Martyrs at the Litany
• Professor Jeri Kraver for organizing and leading the read-in from Holocaust literature
• Three UNC Colleges and their deans for their support: Education & Behavioral Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Performing & Visual Arts.
• The Associated Students of Aims Community College
• The Greeley Tribune for its partnership
• Rabbi Sara Gilbert and Rev. John Bliss for developing the interfaith memorial service and for officiating
• UNC Professor Emeritus Barry Rothaus for his compelling remarks at the service.
• Joyce Ackerman and Tracey Adams for organizing a reception for Survivors, speakers, and contributors to the Observances
• Mayors Tom Norton of Greeley and Scott Moser of Eaton for declaring the proclamations in their municipalities
• Alan Ackerman for drafts of the proclamations and for his opinion essay that appeared in The Greeley Tribune
• Laura Manual for arranging security
• Shannon McCasland of Aims for coordinating with The Greeley Tribune for advertising
• Patty Schulz of Aims for her splendid from-the-heart artistry that is on display in our printed literature and at our website
• Janet Chase of Aims for coordinating the volunteers and for being the excellent liaison for the Committee with Aims Community College
• Don Tennessen for coordinating our partnership with The Resurrection Fellowship Church
• Mary Billings for her leading Holocaust education in District 6 through her example at Franklin Middle School
• Day Spring Christian Academy Thespians for presenting I Never Saw Another Butterfly
• Jerry Krois, Director of the Eaton Public Library, for the Library’s partnering in the Observances
• Hollis Berendt for facilitating the program at the Unitarian Universalist Church
• Hannah Moser for coordinating the Renata Roberts presentation
• The Kress Cinema for partnering to show the film Besa-The Promise
• To The Yiskor Project and The UNC International Film Series for partnering to show The Last Flight of Petr Ginz.
• The UNC Student Center for their assistance and collaboration.
• The UNC Bookstore for ordering books to accompany our events.
• Nicole Songstadt, and Brittany Hager, each at various levels of their educational endeavors - for their devoted contributions as members of the Committee

Besa-The Promise and The Last Flight of Petr Ginz headlined our film series this year. Much thanks goes to Naomi Johnson, indefatigable Co-Chair of the Committee, who, among her many tremendous contributions, coordinates the film series, which this year brought these two stellar movies to our Observances. 

Please consider making a donation to help support and sustain these Holocaust Memorial Observances, especially to keep them free to all who attend.  You may make donations at any time directly to the Committee’s Treasurer, Joe Bluestein, 151 Bayside Circle, Windsor CO 80550, or via our website http://www.aims.edu/holocaust .

The Committee works all year to plan Observances. Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month.  Our next meeting is May 21, 2013, 11:30 AM, at Centennial Park Library. There is a Facebook space for the Greeley Holocaust Memorial Observances. Please participate in the discussions there. 

Our heartfelt special thanks goes to Beth Israel Congregation members and friends who attended these Observances, who are members of the Committee, and who support the Committee’s work in unseen ways. Our mission is to memorialize and educate about the Holocaust and to provide events that better our community and world by addressing racism, hate, intolerance, and prejudice that persist to this day. Let none of us stand idly by!