Indianapolis-More than 350 students, teachers, survivors, elected officials, state employees and community members joined together yesterday for the 14th Annual Holocaust Observance at the Indiana Statehouse.
The program included remarks by Governor Mitch Daniels’ Senior Advisor for Minority Affairs, and Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, Jamal L. Smith, Madene Schcar, Director of the English Speakers Desk for the International Department of Ghetto Fighter’s House in Israel, and a candle lighting ceremony dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust.
Just fewer than 300 students, grades 6-8, participated in a Youth Summit held prior to the Statehouse Program. The Youth Summit was led by the Bureau of Jewish Education’s Assistant Director Miles Roger.
The Holocaust Observance is the State of Indiana’s annual recognition of the Holocaust. Held annually during the federal Week of Remembrance (Apr. 15- Apr. 22, 2012), the program focuses on remembering the victims and learning from the many mistakes that led to the horrific period known as the Holocaust.
The program was sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council and the Bureau of Jewish education for making the program possible.