By Diana Sochor

The community is invited to attend a Yom Hashoah Holocaust memorial program at the Jewish Community Center on Thursday, April 16, at 7 pm. The program will begin with a memorial candle lighting, followed by the film “‘We Don’t Say Goodbye’: Southern Tier People Remember the Holocaust,” and then a lecture and discussion led by Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D. It is co-sponsored by the JCC, the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton and the College of Jewish Studies, a coalition that includes the Binghamton University Judaic Studies Department, Temple Concord, Temple Israel and Beth David Synagogue, along with the JCC and Federation. The program is free, but those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to the JCC by calling 607-724-2417 or e-mailing LauraH@binghamtonjcc.org.
Organizers of the event are also planning to create a photo gallery of community members’ relatives who were lost in the Holocaust to display at the program. Those interested in sharing their family photos should e-mail them, preferably in a JPG format, to director@jfgb.org by Wednesday, April 1.
Sussman is the rabbi emeritus at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA. He was formerly the rabbi of Temple Concord, Binghamton, and the former Temple Beth-El of Endicott, and served as the chairman of the Jewish Studies Department at Binghamton University. He has published numerous books and articles, including “Portrait of a Rabbi-Historian: How Did We Get Here?,” “Portrait of a Reform Rabbi: Continuity and Change,” “Portrait of an American Rabbi: In His Own Words,” “Isaac Lesser and the Making of American Judaism” and “Sharing Sacred Moments” (a collection of his sermons); he co-authored “In Our Midst: How the Holocaust Touched One American Community” with Mary Rose; and he also served as an editor of “Reform Judaism in America: A Biographical Dictionary and Sourcebook.” Sussman is a professor of Jewish history at Gratz College in Melrose Park, PA.
“We Don’t Say Goodbye” was produced by WSKG Public Media and offers the first-hand testimonies of Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives after settling in the Southern Tier of New York.
“The film we will be watching at our upcoming Yom Hashoah program features Rabbi Sussman and the writings from his book, ‘In Our Midst: How the Holocaust Touched One American Community.’ Through deeply personal stories, his book gives voice to lives forever changed yet marked by resilience and dignity,” said Sheryl Brumer, JCC executive director. “We are thrilled and honored to have Rabbi Sussman as the keynote speaker at our event, and encourage everyone to join us for a moving and meaningful evening.” 
“Thank you to all the community organizations and synagogues that are making this event happen,” said Shelley Hubal, executive director of the Jewish Federation. “I hope everyone will come out for an evening of learning and healing.”