That theme shaped the evening’s program, which wove together personal testimony, education, and ritual. Through the voices of clergy, students, and educators, and the participation of descendants who serve as living links between past and future, the commemoration demonstrated how Holocaust memory is carried forward and given meaning in the present.

 Dr. Milton Zweig, the evening’s guest speaker, brought this theme to life through the story of his mother’s family, sharing their experiences during the Holocaust and the refuge they ultimately found in Colombia. Zweig spoke about how their survival often depended on human connection and compassion. His remarks emphasized that remembrance carries an ethical dimension. 

 Education remained a central focus of the event with the presentation of awards to student honorees connected to the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition. Student winners were recognized for their thoughtful engagement with Holocaust history and memory, demonstrating how young people continue to grapple with both the weight of the past and its relevance today.

 Teachers Kindra Mosher and Lisa Kilczewski were also recognized for their dedication to Holocaust education, highlighting the critical role educators play in fostering historical understanding, critical thinking, and empathy. Their work was acknowledged as essential to ensuring that Holocaust education remains rigorous, meaningful, and responsive to the challenges of the present moment. 

 One of the most moving moments of the program was the lighting of six memorial candles by descendants of Holocaust survivors. Stepping forward as representatives of their families and generations, they expressed remembrance through ritual – embodying the continuity of memory as something carried, shared, and sustained over time.

 The evening concluded with a moment of reflection and intention. As attendees quietly exited, they were offered yahrzeit candles to light at home. 

Elka Mednick is director of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission. 

 The evening began with Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer presenting a City Council resolution recognizing the Holocaust Commission, Jewish Community Relations Council, and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater for their ongoing work to educate about the Holocaust, counter antisemitism, and foster a more inclusive community. His presentation added a significant civic moment to the evening.

 The featured program was Eric Joffe’s retelling of the four distinct journeys of members of the Gonsenhauser family. Drawing on extensive research compiled by Thomas Kemper, a family friend from Germany who was unable to attend, Joffe shared how Kemper’s work both preserved these histories and helped reconnect the family to its Holocaust past. 

 Joffe’s storytelling underscored a vital truth: the Holocaust was long ago, but its lessons are not distant. It lives in the memories and family histories of countless community members. The Gonsenhauser family’s journey is one of many stories woven into Tidewater’s communal fabric, reminding that the Holocaust’s impact touches individuals across generations and continents.

 The evening emphasized that sharing accurate history and understanding a person’s experiences helps contemporary audiences learn, reflect, and strengthen their commitment to combating hatred in all its forms.

To learn more about the Holocaust Commission, visit HolocaustCommission.org or contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org.  

Few works have transformed Holocaust storytelling as profoundly as the graphic novel Maus. When Art Spiegelman won the 1992 Pulitizer Prize, it was the first time a graphic novel earned that honor, signaling a cultural shift in the literary world, and new manner to convey memory, trauma, and history. Art Spiegelman: Disaster is my Muse is a documentary that explores the mind of Spiegelman, the artist who reshaped Holocaust literature and brought the graphic novel genre into public view.  Art Spiegelman: Disaster is my Muse, is presented by the Chrysler Museum of Art in partnership with the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film and the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.

 Through archival footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes access, the documentary examines Spiegelman’s creative process, artistic influences, and the personal history that informs his work.

 Published in two volumes beginning in the 1980s, Maus recounts Spiegelman’s father’s experiences during the Holocaust, portraying Jews as mice and Nazis as cats in a stark black-and-white visual style. Its impact extended beyond literary recognition, elevating the graphic novel form and expanding public understanding of how visual storytelling can convey complex historical trauma.

 The documentary situates Maus within the broader arc of Spiegelman’s career, highlighting his experimentation in underground comics, his commentary on contemporary events, and his ongoing engagement with themes of catastrophe and memory. The film also addresses the complexities of his identity as the child of Holocaust survivors and how that generational inheritance shaped both his artistic voice and his lifelong engagement with history.

 Following the screening, the documentary’s co-directors will participate in a discussion about the making of the film and the challenges of portraying Spiegelman on screen. Known for his intellectual rigor and unflinching perspectives, Spiegelman emerges in the film as an artist deeply influenced by personal and collective trauma, yet continually pushing the boundaries of his work.

Tickets for the screening are included for all full festival pass holders. Additional information is available at Jewishva.org/Muse.  

 Accepting the honor on behalf of the community were Mona Flax, UJFT president; Betty Ann Levin, UJFT executive vice president and CEO; Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas; and Elka Mednick, Holocaust Commission director.

 The proclamation marked the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to remembrance, historical truth, and combating hate in all forms. Council members emphasized the importance of public institutions partnering with community organizations, such as UJFT, which promote acceptance, strengthen democratic values, and confront rising antisemitism with education and action.

 The resolution highlighted the Holocaust Commission’s extensive programming, including educator resources, the Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts Competition, and public commemorations for both International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Yom HaShoah. It also acknowledged To Life: Holocaust Stories of Hampton Roads Survivors, Liberators, and Rescuers as a historical resource. 

The City Council urged all residents to honor the victims of the Holocaust, learn its lessons, and join in the shared responsibility of building a more compassionate and inclusive community.

$54 reserves a seat on the bus and helps defray the cost of lunch and transportation to and from Richmond. Secure a ticket to participate in this important gathering at JewishVA.org/DWTS or contact Kyleigh Eyl, JCRC program coordinator, at Keyl@ujft.org.

 Named in honor of Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, the competition challenges students to engage with Holocaust history not only as an academic exercise, but as a personal and creative journey. Through essays, poetry, visual arts, and videos, students are encouraged to examine the moral and ethical questions raised by the Holocaust and consider how its lessons apply to contemporary issues such as injustice and disinformation.

 Open to all middle and high school students, the competition serves as a powerful educational tool for teachers seeking to inspire critical thinking and creativity in their classrooms. While many students participate through classroom assignments, entries are welcomed from students who wish to submit independently. The competition provides a meaningful opportunity for students to express what they’ve learned in ways that resonate with their own experiences and perspectives. 

 Entries are judged blindly by professionals in the fields of education, writing, and the arts, ensuring an impartial and thoughtful evaluation process. Winners in each category receive cash prizes and a copy of To Life: The Past is Present.

 The winners will be honored at the community’s annual Yom Hashoah commemoration, which will take place on April 13, 2026. 

 All information necessary to enter the competition, including detailed guidelines, background information, and submission instructions, can be found at JewishVA.org/Wiesel. 

To learn more about the Holocaust Commission, go to HolocaustCommission.org or contact Elka Mednick, director of the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater at EMednick@ujft.org. 

As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of history and its ongoing impact on society, the Virginia Beach Public Library, at the TCC Joint-Use Library is set to host a thought-provoking exhibition that will challenge visitors to reflect on America’s role during one of the world’s darkest periods. For six weeks beginning May 21, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s traveling exhibit, Americans and the Holocaust, will be on display at the library, offering an exploration of how Americans responded to the Holocaust during the 1930s and 1940s. This exhibition is presented in partnership with United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, highlighting a shared commitment to education and remembrance.

Americans and the Holocaust delves into the knowledge and reactions of Americans to Nazism, genocide, and refugee crises during World War II. By examining a wide range of primary sources, including newspapers, personal accounts, and government records, the exhibit encourages visitors to confront the complexities of historical responsibility and consider their own roles in addressing injustice today. This journey through history sheds light on the past and invites reflection on how to learn from it to build a more compassionate and just world.

In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater has curated a series of engaging events to complement the exhibit. A To Life: The Past is Present book talk on Thursday, June 5 at 6 pm will provide an opportunity for community members to engage in discussions about the experiences of Holocaust survivors who made their homes in Hampton Roads.

The collaboration between UJFT and the Virginia Beach Joint-Use Library represents a powerful commitment to fostering a more informed and empathetic community. By bringing this exhibit to Virginia Beach, both organizations aim to deepen a collective understanding of Holocaust history and encourage critical thinking about today’s challenges.

The Virginia Beach Public Library TCC Joint-Use Library is located at 1700 College Crescent in Virginia Beach.

To learn more about exhibit hours or programming details, contact the Virginia Beach Joint-Use Library or the Holocaust Commission.
To learn more about Virginia Beach public libraries, visit: https://vbpl.librarymarket.com/tcccity-joint-use-library, and to learn more about the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, visit Holocaustcommission.org or contact Elka Mednick at EMdnick@UJFT.org