Join Bet Shira Congregation for a champagne brunch and the viewing of a new documentary Surviving and Thriving on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 11:30 a.m. at Bet Shira, 7500 SW 120 St.
The film, produced by Miami Dade College in partnership with Bet Shira Congregation, traces the lives of Holocaust survivors. The brunch honors Bet Shira’s survivors and children of survivors, including the late Helen Herskowitz; Irene and David Mermelstein; Leo Martin and Simon Simkovic; and children of survivors Lisa Schneiderman, Philis Edelman, Mel Mann, Mary Krantzler and Geraldine Gurvich.
The Second Avenue Jewish Chorale, a new community chorus dedicated to the performance of Jewish music and directed by Coreen Duffy, will perform during the brunch. Duffy is a composer/conductor whose work has been performed by choirs across the U.S.
Proceeds from the event will be used to rededicate and enhance Bet Shira’s Holocaust Memorial Garden and to create an adjacent butterfly garden, inspired by Pavel Friedman’s 1942 poem The Butterfly. The garden was created by the late Leo Martin and the new addition is being designed by Sara Edelman, Herskowitz’ granddaughter.
The Miami Dade College Holocaust and Genocide Studies Program and MDC-TV worked with Bet Shira to produce the new documentary. Excerpts from interviews with survivors are included, as well as comments from MDC President Eduardo Padron; Greater Miami Jewish Federation President/CEO Jacob Solomon; Bet Shira’s Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei; and U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
“The Holocaust was a horrific event that the world must never forget,” said Bet Shira President Joseph Serota. “We all need to understand what happened from the people and families who have first-hand knowledge.”
The educational event includes a questionand- answer session with Holocaust survivors and the producers following the viewing. Admission is $36 and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, call 305-238-2601 or email lsolomon@betshira.org
