The Kansas Holocaust Commemoration service memorializes the victims of the Holocaust at the annual official state observance.
This year, it will be held on May 6 at 1 p.m. in Topeka at the Downtown Topeka Ramada Inn (420 SE 6th St., Topeka, KS 66607).
Governor Laura Kelly will present the Kansas Proclamation for the Days of Remembrance which includes the following statements: “…the people of the State of Kansas should always remember the terrible events of the Holocaust and remain vigilant against hatred, persecution and tyranny…”
The theme of this year’s program is “Lives Lost and Stories Told,” with a keynote address by Micha Menczer, a retired attorney. He will tell the stories of his father, Mottel Menczer, who survived the Holocaust and was able to emigrate to North America.
Kansas clergy, political leaders and students will participate in the program. Holocaust survivors, World War II veterans, and second-generation sons and daughters will be recognized.
The program, which will last for about an hour, is hosted by the Kansas Holocaust Commission. Commission members are appointed by the governor for the purpose of organizing the annual commemoration.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is available at mchekc.org/kansas-holocaust-commemoration. Bus subsidy applications for Kansas schools are also available at that link.
For those unable to attend, the program will be available on the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education YouTube channel after the event.
More information is available by calling Topeka’s Temple Beth Sholom at (785) 272-6040.
