For the first time, Kansas City will participate in a worldwide event known as March of Remembrance in the United States and March of Life in Europe. The event is aimed at “honoring Holocaust survivors and their families in the Kansas City area,” said Dwight Widaman. Metro Voice News owners Dwight and Anita Widaman are co-chairs of March of Remembrance Kansas City.
March of Remembrance Kansas City will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016, which is near Yom HaShoah (Day of Holocaust Remembrance).
“We chose that day as a clear stance against anti-Semitism and as a powerful symbol of what happens when people remain silent about abuse, prejudice and righteousness,” stated Anita Widaman.
The events of the day will be held at Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kan.
Anita described the purpose of March of Remembrance Kansas City is to “honor, educate, remember and engage.”
The March of Remembrance seeks to:
- Honor Holocaust survivors and their families
- Educate the public about the reality of the Holocaust
- Remember the tragic consequences of silence
- Engage people in battling indifference and prejudice
Elhanan Glazer, former Israeli parliament member, will headline the March of Remembrance activities May 1 in Overland Park.
The day will begin with a pre-rally in the courtyard of Overland Park Convention center at 1:30 p.m., with the prayer walk beginning at 3 p.m. The walk will be 1.2 miles, with the possibility to only go half that distance. The event will be held rain or shine. Both the pre-rally and prayer walk are free, however, donations will be accepted to defray the event costs.
The event will continue with An Evening of Remembrance, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the convention center, featuring Hebrew-themed music. The keynote speaker will be Elhanan Glazer, a former member of the Knesset, the legislative body of Israel. A professionally choreographed dance portraying the Holocaust will be performed by Dramatic Truth Ballet Theatre. A limited number of $25 tickets are available for An Evening of Remembrance at www.morkc.org. T-shirts are available as well for an additional fee.
“We were honored with the invitation to help lead this event,” said Dwight Widaman. “It is important for all of us to take the lessons of the Holocaust to break the silence of fear, pain and shame caused by prejudice and indifference.”
“Our family trip to Israel in 2015 cemented our intent to demonstrate to Holocaust survivors and their descendants in the Kansas City area, ‘You are not forgotten. You are not alone,’” stated Anita. “We will remember and we will not be silent for Zion’s sake.’”
March of Remembrance Kansas City is a sister event to the March of Life in Europe. March of Life began in 2007 and has occurred on or near Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) annually since then. The event has grown to include dozens of cities worldwide.
–By Lori Wilson