Sheepshead Bay
Kudos to Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D–Brooklyn) for hosting his annual “Holocaust Memorial Creative Arts Contest.” The event invites local students in grades three through 12 in public and private schools in his district to commemorate the Holocaust with essays, artworks, interactive displays, and original musical compositions.
Winners were presented their awards at a ceremony at Kingsborough Community College on April 19.
Guest speakers Ruth Lichtenstein, the daughter of Holocaust survivors and founder of Project Witness, a Brooklyn-based Holocaust resource center, and Dr. Richard Tomback, a history professor and director of the Holocaust Studies Program at Kingsborough, joined with the Sheepshead Bay representative at the event.
Students from Edward R. Murrow High School Junior Chorus, Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Winds performed, while Yeshivah of Flatbush students lit candles remembering the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust.
Cymbrowitz, the son of Holocaust survivors, explained the importance of Holocaust education: “As the Holocaust taught us that if you fail to act, and fail to speak out, the consequences can be irreparable. There are wounds that time won’t heal.” He added, “I hope these lessons learned stay with them throughout their entire lives, tucked away in their memory, and passed on to their own children and their children’s children.”
Yeshiva of Flatbush high schoolers clenched first place with an original song composition, elementary students from PS 255 placed first in their age group with their display, and middle schoolers from Bay Academy tied for first place in their category.
Standing O congratulates all the students who participated in the event and sends a thank you to the assemblyman for never forgetting.
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, District Office [1800 Sheepshead Bay Rd. at Emmons Avenue in Sheepshead Bay (718) 743–4078].
