The City of Carmel has announced it will be holding its annual Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony this April to honor the memory of the six million Jewish victims and other persecuted individuals of the Holocaust. According to a bulletin from the city's government, the event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 24, at noon in the Tarkington Theater located at 3 Carter Green in Carmel, Indiana.
This year's commemoration is set to feature an array of speakers and musical performances. Among those joining the remembrance ceremony are Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow from Congregation Shaarey Tefilla and Rabbi Justin Kerber of Congregation Beth Shalom, per the official announcement. They will stand alongside key presenter Graham Honaker, who is acknowledged not only as the Associate Athletic Director for Development and NIL Strategy at Butler University but also as a co-author of the deeply impactful book "A Blessing, Not a Burden: My Parents' Remarkable Holocaust Story and My Fight to Keep Their Legacy Alive," as per the City of Carmel's website.
In keeping with the solemnity of the occasion, melodies will be woven into the fabric of the ceremony by cantor Melissa Cohen, the Carmel United Methodist Church Bell Choir, University High School of Indiana Choir, and Sadie Cohen, a local high schooler who holds the title of Miss Cardinal's Teen 2025. This blend of communal voices aims to pay tribute through song, reflecting on the tragic past while fostering a sense of collective remembrance.
As part of Yom Hashoah, an international day of Holocaust Remembrance, Carmel's ceremony aligns with global efforts to never forget the atrocities faced by millions during one of the darkest periods in history. In what appears to be a deeply reflective and educational event, attendees can expect to hear tales of survival, bravery, and the enduring spirit of those affected by the Holocaust. The official release by the city describes the day as one that "commemorates the deaths of our six million brothers and sisters - Jews and Gentiles," underlining the inclusive nature of the commemoration. More details about the event can be found on the city's official website.
