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Shaler Area will host An Evening of Holocaust Remembrance & Education in commemoration of the Tree of Life Synagogue on Thursday, March 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Shaler Area High School.

The event, which is free and open to the public, was created with a focus on education and will feature activities and presentations appropriate for visitors of all ages. 

“Following the Tree of Life tragedy, there were many remembrance and fundraising events, but this event focuses on education,” said Nick Haberman, Shaler Area High School teacher and 2018 Holocaust Educator of the Year.

“I really wanted there to be something for everyone. Parents can bring children; students can bring parents; and students can bring their peers.”

6:30-8 p.m.
Shaler Area High School library & adjoining LIGHT Center
Children’s activities will be located in the high school’s library and adjoining LIGHT Center (Center for Leadership through Innovation in Genocide and Human rights Teaching) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Holocaust survivor Shulamit Bastacky was a Lithuanian “hidden child” and will talk to students about her experiences as a child. Together they will decorate butterflies in remembrance of child victims of the Holocaust. Additionally, staff from the Shaler North Hills Library and Millvale Community Library will read stories of empathy and tolerance. 

6-8 p.m.
Shaler Area High School lobby
From 6 to 8 p.m., the high school lobby will feature a traveling museum exhibition on loan from Classrooms Without Borders on the Wannsee Conference, a “CHUTZ-POW!” display from the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, a book signing by survivor Yolanda Avram-Willis, and numerous “information booths” staffed by Shaler Area students from various foreign language, art, and humanities courses studying the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights.

7-9 p.m.
Shaler Area High School auditorium
In the high school auditorium, a program featuring speakers, music and performances will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Students and community members will hear from Yolanda Avram-Willis, a survivor and author of “A Hidden Child in Greece: Rescue in the Holocaust,” Lynne Ravas, a holocaust educator, and Iris Matijevic, a Shaler Area alumnus and former refugee of the Bosnian War.  Additionally, Christopher Sforza, a professional musician and Klezmer (Jewish Folk) specialist will perform a musical selection and the Shaler Area choir and silk line will perform themed selections. 

While the event is free, donations will be collected for the Tree of Life Synagogue.

For more information, visit www.LIGHTinitiative.org.