According to Jill Rose — co-chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County — the March of Remembrance is a unique opportunity for the entire community — Jewish and non-Jewish — to come together to remember the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Rose said in a recent Federation press release: “It is through our combined strength that we can say, ‘Never again’, and ensure that our voices are heard.”

The South Palm Beach County Jewish and Christian communities will once again get another chance to walk together in solidarity to remember the Holocaust at this year’s March of Remembrance to take place on Sunday, May 1 — a few days before Yom HaShoah(Holocaust Memorial Day).

Hundreds of participants are expected to gather for brief welcoming remarks at 3 p.m. in the gymnasium of Boca Raton Christian School (470 N.W. 4th Ave.).

Walkers will then join Holocaust survivors, their families and their supporters to march about half-a-mile beginning at 3:15 p.m. to Temple Beth El of Boca Raton (333 S.W. 4th Ave.).

At Temple Beth El, there will then be a Holocaust Remembrance program, scheduled to start about 4 p.m.

A complimentary return shuttle bus will then bring marchers back to the Boca Raton Christian School parking lot following the Beth El program.

According to the release, in addition to commemorating the Holocaust, remembering those lost and honoring our community’s survivors, the day’s events also will raise public awareness of the Holocaust for people of all faiths — with the prevailing message that such atrocities can never be repeated.

Last year, the program drew more than 500 local residents of all ages, and strong participation is again anticipated.

Rev. Andrew J. Sherman, rector of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton, commented in the release: “The March of Remembrance provides a moving opportunity for the religious community of Boca Raton to gather together to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to pledge ourselves to our shared values of justice, mutual respect and compassion.”

The Holocaust Remembrance program at Temple Beth El will include a candle lighting ceremony with local Holocaust survivors. It also will feature offerings from local clergy as well as other community leaders, and live music.

Rabbi Dan Levin, senior rabbi of Temple Beth El, considers the March of Remembrance to be a significant event for members of all faiths as they join together in unity.

Levin said in the release: “Temple Beth El is grateful for the opportunity to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day with such a broad-based collaborative effort across the spectrum of religious life in our community.

“It is inspiring to see that so many people from so many different walks of life choose to come together to say that love and respect, not bigotry and hatred, are the values on which we will build our world together.”

The March of Remembrance, according to the release, is a regional, collaborative effort uniting the Southeast Florida community through churches, synagogues and community groups.

Planning for this event has included, among others, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and its Jewish Community Relations Council; the Boca Raton Interfaith Clergy Association; Boca Raton Christian School; Temple Beth El of Boca Raton; and The Flame Society.

According to the release, this assembly of Jewish and Christian denominations will honor living survivors and pay tribute to the lives that were lost, while also raising awareness of the lessons to be learned from the genocide that transpired more than 70 years ago.

Said Rev. Don Karpinen, pastor of Victory Church in Boca Raton, in the release: “As a pastor in Boca Raton, I consider it an honor to work together with Jewish, Christian and interfaith leaders in our local South Florida community to remember the Holocaust, honor survivors and stand alongside multiple congregations to say, ‘Never again, and not on our watch.’ We are coming together as congregations of faith to pray against the violation of human rights and the advancement of evil.”

Registration is not required for this free program.

Contact Marissa Trowbridge atmarissat@bocafed.orgor 561-852-6022.

Originally published HERE