Shreveport Hosts Holocaust Remembrance Events

Film screening, author’s presentation scheduled in Shreveport to commemorate Holocaust

Shreveport, Louisiana – Holocaust Remembrance Day is May 6, and the North Louisiana Jewish Federation has two local events to mark the day. Executive Director of the North Louisiana Jewish Federation Barbara Joseph stated, “For over 40 years, there has been a community coalition of diverse partners who have made it a priority to remember the tragedy together. Remembering together can help us work together to face the challenges that exist right now.”

Documentary Premiere at Robinson Film Center

The documentary “Four Winters: A Story of Jewish Partisan Resistance and Bravery in WW2” will have its Louisiana premiere at the Robinson Film Center on April 28. Director and producer Julia Mintz will be present and participate in a question-and-answer session after the screening. Robinson Film Center Executive Director Wendell Riley expressed, “We are honored to be partnering with the North Louisiana Jewish Federation to share this story with our community, and in doing so hopefully create a more complete account of those involved in World War II.”

The film features first-person accounts from some of the remaining 25,000 Jewish partisans who fought back against the Nazis in the forests of Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Belarus. It tells the story of how they escaped Nazi slaughter, against extraordinary odds, and transformed into courageous resistance fighters. Riley emphasized, “As with most reflections of historical events, we often latch on to established narratives, but in doing so we run the risk of missing valuable stories that haven’t been given voice yet.”

Award-Winning Author to Speak at Holocaust Remembrance Service

Holocaust survivor and award-winning author Sonia Levitin will be the guest speaker at the 41st annual Northwest Louisiana Holocaust Remembrance Service on May 5 at LSUS. Levitin, who escaped Germany with her family as a young girl, has been honored with several prestigious awards including the Pen Award, National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor Award, and the German Catholic Bishops Award.

Executive Director Barbara Joseph mentioned, “This may be the only opportunity many people, especially today’s students, have to hear a first-hand account from someone with Ms. Levitin’s experience.” Signed copies of Levitin’s young-adult novel “Journey to America” will be available at the reception following the service.

Literary and Arts Competition Winners Announced

During the Holocaust Remembrance Service, winners of the Literary and Arts Competition will be announced from the 135 student submissions of poems, stories, essays, visual art, and musical compositions. Dr. Kenna Franklin, assistant provost of diversity, inclusion, and community engagement at LSUS, expressed, “LSUS welcomes any opportunity to equip our students, our campus, and our community with an engaged awareness of intellectual history that can broaden the study of culture and highlight the struggle of the world’s sense of humanity.”

Event Details

If you are interested in attending these events, here are the details:

• The Louisiana film premiere of Four Winters with director Julia Mintz in attendance will be at 2:30 p.m. on April 28 at the Robinson Film Center.
• The 41st annual Northwest Louisiana Holocaust Remembrance Service with award-winning author Sonia Levitin will be held at 3 p.m. on May 5 in Louisiana State University Shreveport’s University Center. Admission is free for both events.

Conclusion

By hosting these meaningful events, the North Louisiana Jewish Federation aims to honor the memory of the Holocaust, educate the community about the experiences of survivors and resistance fighters, and promote a message of unity and resilience in the face of adversity.