In Commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Am Yisrael Chai presents a powerful and unforgettable event: COURAGE and CONVICTION – The Holocaust in Lithuania.
Keynote speakers: Elly Gotz, Grant Gochin and Silvia Foti.
The Holocaust in Lithuania resulted in an almost complete annihilation of the Jewish community. More than 95 percent of Lithuania’s Jewish population (approximately 200,000 Jews) were murdered by the Nazis and their Lithuanian collaborators during the War – mostly between June and December of 1941. This was more destruction than befell any other country affected by the Holocaust. A deep and simmering level of antisemitism fueled this destruction in Lithuania – and sadly, it is not unlike the deepening and unbridled antisemitism we are experiencing around the world today.
Elly Gotz was born in Kovno, Lithuania in 1928. During the War, life became increasingly difficult for Jews. Elly survived 3 years in the Kovno ghetto and was later deported to Dachau. Elly is an author and passionate Holocaust educator.
Grant Gochin is a South African-born Jew who lost more than 100 members of his family in Lithuania. He is a philanthropist, author, journalist, politician and activist. He is the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Togo and the Vice Dean of the Los Angeles Consular Corps.
Silvia Foti is a devout Catholic from Chicago, who discovered that her grandfather – who was considered a war hero in Lithuania, was complicit in the murder of Lithuanian Jews. Silvia is the author of Storm in the Land of Rain, a journalist, and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee (2023). Together, Grant and Silvia expose the truth about the mass murders and killings across Lithuania. Their story is told in the movie – J’Accuse that gives a voice to the victims so cruelly murdered.
Please join us for the movie J’Accuse followed by the Courage and Conviction event featuring Elly Gotz as well as Grant Gochin, Silvia Foti and movie producer, Michael Kretzmer and that includes a panel discussion hosted by Nadia Bilchik.
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