YOUNGSTOWN Local Jewish council schedules Holocaust Remembrance event

Observances are set for April 9 at Mahoning County Courthouse and April 13 at the Jewish Community Center.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Jewish Community Relations Council and the Board of Rabbis of Greater Youngstown have announced the annual Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance holiday observances.
The Ninth Annual Community Holocaust Commemoration event is at noon April 9 in the rotunda of the Mahoning County Courthouse. The annual Shoah Memorial Ceremony will be at 3 p.m. April 14 at the Jewish Community Center.
The theme for this year's events is "The Disease of Scapegoating: What is the Prescription for its Cure." Each program will examine the lessons of the Holocaust to determine how society can combat hate and scapegoating to prevent future genocide. The emphasis will be on educating youths on the Holocaust so that they will be prepared for the challenges they will face as adults.
Presentation planned: The commemoration at the courthouse will feature a presentation by Jesse McClain, a Boardman teacher and a local area Holocaust educator. The event will also feature the recognition of the winners of the JCRC's annual student Holocaust writing contest, as well as a presentation of a Youngstown mayoral proclamation. The program will close with a memorial candlelighting ceremony to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
The ceremony at the JCC will feature a performance of the Youngstown Area Holocaust Impact Theater. Made up of high school members of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization of the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys, the Holocaust Impact Theater troupe will perform original vignettes on issues and events related to the Holocaust.
The ceremony will also include a series of Holocaust-inspired readings, a historical perspective by Dr. Saul Friedman, a professor of history at Youngstown State University, and a candlelighting ceremony led by survivors.
The Holocaust Commemoration and Education Task Force, a committee of the JCRC, is chaired by Rabbi Joseph Schonberger, a child of Holocaust survivors, and is made up of survivors, their children and volunteers.
For more information, call (330) 746-3251.