Staff photo / Bob Coupland Polly Flescher of Howland, left, and Judy Levy of Liberty light a candle in memory of loved ones who were Holocaust survivors Sunday at the Shoah Memorial Ceremony at the Jewish Community Center in Youngstown.

YOUNGSTOWN — Those who lost their lives during the Holocaust, as well as the survivors, were remembered at a special Shoah Memorial ceremony Sunday at the Jewish Community Center.

The descendants of Holocaust survivors, including their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, paid tribute to their loved ones by lighting candles and sharing memories.

Rabbi Courtney Berman of Congregation Ohev Beth Shalom in Youngstown said for all those who died in the Holocaust, it continues to be important to honor their memory and try to make the world a safer place for all the Jews who have come after them.

Berman said today few Holocaust survivors are still living, but their stories are so important.

“We owe it to them to continue to share their stories. We must never forget and always remember what happened,” Berman said.

During the program, the families of Holocaust survivors stood and came to the front of the room to light candles while saying the names of their loved ones.

also were said for those who lost their lives on Oct. 7, 2023, which is considered by many as the most murderous day in Israeli history and for the Jewish people since the Holocaust as members of the Hamas terrorist organization infiltrated communities in southern Israel and killed many Israelis and took many others hostage.

This year, students from school districts from throughout the Mahoning Valley took part in submitting essays, poetry, and video and media presentations for Holocaust remembrance organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council and the local Jewish Federation. The theme of the contest this year was “Auschwitz: A Place on Earth.”

Rabbi Joseph Schonberger, retired rabbi of Temple El Emeth in Liberty, said the students not only learn from taking part in the contest, but those who review the entries are enriched by what the students produce.

A video was presented that was put together by retired Boardman principal and teacher Jesse McClain. The video was interviews of Holocaust survivors Charlotte Kalus, Kurt Wegner, Sonja Schwartz and Bill Vegh.

“What they share helps us to understand the lessons of the Holocaust. The raw footage of the four interviews was found and are now able to be included with other local Holocaust survivor testimonies and stories,” Schonberger said. “We can have the survivors’ own words. It is so important to hear their stories and their own words especially now after Oct. 7, which was such a horrible atrocity. We are reminded how important it is for us to always remember and to remind others of the survivors and what they have to say.”

He said there have been increased examples of antisemitism taking place in so many aspects of society today.

The 32nd annual community Holocaust Commemoration will be at noon Tuesday in the rotunda of the Mahoning County Courthouse, 120 Market St. Winners of the council’s student Holocaust writing and multimedia contest will be recognized at the courthouse commemoration.