GenShoah presents

Inside information on upcoming programs

By Shelley Lieb and Ida Margolis

The following is information you need for GenShoah’s upcoming programs.

Not just for new members

Our Open House/New Member Reception was designed and initiated last year to make new members feel welcome. Everyone who joined between January 2023 and January 2024 will receive a personal call. All Gen-Shoah members are welcome to attend. The date coincides with the United Nations designated Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan. 26 The event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Holocaust Museum. RSVP is required to attend. More information is available at hmcec.org (Special Events).

A special time to share

The "Our Stories" GenShoah member get-together brings us together in a comfortable, inviting location to talk about our past and our present in the company of other 2Gs and 3Gs. The discussion is under the direction of Rene Geist, Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb. We hope it will encourage the writing of more of our parents’ stories of survival for the “Portraits of Remembrance” Project. Feb. 4 at 1 pm; Location TBD. Attendance is limited and RSVP is required to attend: Rene Geist rene@geistgroup.com

Planning ahead

GenShoah SWFL is already planning for the Yom HaShoah program in Collier County on Sunday, May 5. Although it is more than six months away, there are two items that need paying attention to now:

• We are encouraging you to invite your children/grandchildren to be at your side for this program. It is an opportunity to share your history with your family in a meaningful way.

• We are asking everyone in the community to submit family names for Holocaust remembrance at this program to genshoahswfl@hmcec.org.

Information on other future programs

If you talk to Sol Awend in Yiddish, his eyes light up and he will probably tell you a story in Yiddish to make you smile. He is the energy behind a monthly get-together for Yiddish speakers at any level. Join him at Zoog Mir in Yiddish through April 2024; the third Sunday of the month, 3:30-5 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum. Attendance is limited to 20 people and RSVP for each session is required to attend: hmcec.org

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Jan. 26, 1-3 p.m. Complimentary admission Jan. 26, 2 p.m. Special program will be held at Holocaust Museum, Naples. RSVP is required for both: hmcec.org (Special Events)

Genealogy workshops

Feb. 25 and April 7, 1 p.m.; Location TBD. Attendance is limited and RSVP is required to attend: Shelley Lieb liebro@gmail.com

“They Were Children: Rescue as Resistance” Exhibit March 3, 10 a.m. at FGCU Archives. RSVP is required to attend: Shelley Lieb liebro@gmail.com

Growing Up Sephardic in an Ashkenazi World by Sam Varsano

Wed., March 13, 2 p.m. at Holocaust Museum. RSVP is required to attend: hmcec.org (Special Events)

Yom HaShoah Commemoration

May 5, 4 p.m. at Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. RSVP is requested: jfgn.org

Pre-Event reception for GenShoah SWFL and survivors, 3 p.m. at Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

Possible Book Discussions – Locations/ dates/times TBD based on interest. Contact Estelle Kafer ekafer520@gmail.com.