Sunday, October 16, 11 am–3 pm
Get ready to plant some bulbs and hope for a bountiful garden this spring in remembrance of the children who perished in the Holocaust.
The Jewish Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth is hosting its first event in partnership with the Atlanta-based Daffodil Project and Am Yisrael Chai, which will take place on Sunday, October 16 (rain date October 30). The site of the daffodil garden is the lot next to the museum at 607 Effingham Street.
“Our mission is to present an environment where visitors and the community can celebrate and learn about Jewish history, faith, and culture,” says Barbara Rossen, director of JMCC. “This project encompasses the goal of the mission, makes the world a brighter place, and serves a higher purpose as a living, lasting memorial to those children who lost their lives and those who are in crisis today.”
The yellow six-point daffodils that will be used are symbolic of the yellow Star of David that the Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust. The goal is to plant 1.5 million bulbs around the world. More than 780,000 have already been planted.
The October event at JMCC is the only one of its kind in Tidewater, with the next closest being in Richmond. “We have over 2,000 bulbs committed so far,” Rossen says. “We hope to have hundreds of volunteers.”
JMCC is planning a permanent plaque with sponsors’ names and markers designated to those who bought bulbs. Every month leading up to the spring, JMCC will offer programming on the Holocaust.
“When it’s in full bloom in the spring,” Rossen adds, “we’ll have a celebration outside in the middle of the garden.”
For more information on purchasing bulbs, sponsorship opportunities, or helping to plant the flowers, visit jewishmuseumportsmouth.org or email jmccportsmouth@gmail.com.
-Debbie Burke