Holocaust Memorial Presentation Rescheduled for April 12 at Westport Library

Shoah Memorial Fairfield Connecticut has rescheduled its community presentation about a planned Holocaust memorial project for April 12 at The Westport Library, according to the nonprofit organization.

The presentation, titled “Fighting Antisemitism and Celebrating community: An Introduction to the Shoah Memorial,” will run from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., organizers announced. The event was originally scheduled for January but was postponed due to inclement weather.

The program will provide an overview of the Shoah Memorial, a planned project in Fairfield designed to commemorate Holocaust victims and address contemporary antisemitism, according to organizers. The initiative aims to promote education and community engagement at the local level.

A Holocaust memorial sculpture titled “She Wouldn’t Take Off Her Boots” is scheduled to be installed at Fairfield University in July, according to the announcement.

Activist and actor James Naughton will host the April event. The scheduled speakers include artist Victoria Milstein, who created “She Wouldn’t Take Off Her Boots,” according to organizers.

Philip Eliasoph, assistant to the president for arts and culture at Fairfield University, is expected to participate in the presentation. Holocaust survivor Michael Schell will also speak at the event, organizers said.

Additional speakers include Shelly Kreiger, founding educator of the Holocaust Resource Center of Greater Fairfield County, and Mindy Hersh, an adviser to the Fairfield Jewish Advocacy Coalition. Warren Lapa, a member of the Shoah Memorial Fairfield advisory board, will also participate in the program.

Organizers said they will share additional details about the memorial project during the presentation. The event represents part of the nonprofit’s broader efforts to educate the community about the Holocaust while addressing current issues of antisemitism.

The Shoah Memorial project reflects a growing trend of Holocaust education initiatives in Connecticut communities. The planned installation at Fairfield University will provide a permanent space for reflection and remembrance in the region.

The Westport Library has hosted numerous community educational events, making it a fitting venue for this presentation about the memorial project. The library’s central location and community programming make it accessible to residents throughout the area.

The rescheduling from January to April allows organizers to reach a broader audience during more favorable weather conditions. Community members interested in Holocaust education and memorial projects are encouraged to attend the free presentation.

The involvement of Holocaust survivor Michael Schell adds a personal dimension to the presentation, providing attendees with firsthand accounts of historical events that the memorial will commemorate. His participation underscores the importance of preserving survivor testimonies for future generations.

The collaboration between various organizations, including Fairfield University, the Holocaust Resource Center, and the Fairfield Jewish Advocacy Coalition, demonstrates broad community support for the memorial project. This multi-organizational approach helps ensure the project reaches diverse segments of the local population.

The memorial sculpture’s installation at Fairfield University will make it accessible to students, faculty, and community members. University partnerships often provide educational opportunities and ensure long-term maintenance of memorial installations.

Organizers expect the April presentation to generate increased community awareness and support for the Shoah Memorial project. The event serves as both an educational opportunity and a way to build momentum for the memorial’s completion and installation.

The presentation at The Westport Library is free and open to the public. Community members can attend to learn more about the memorial project and its significance for Holocaust education and remembrance efforts in Connecticut.