The Jewish Community Council of Greater Teaneck will hold its annual observance of Yom HaShoah on Wednesday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Teaneck High School. The keynote speaker this year is Helga Marx Silbermann. In 1938, 13-year-old Helga ran with her grandfather into their burning shul to rescue a Torah scroll. During the war, she was in a position to warn Jews destined for death, saving many lives. Her story and her will to survive with the Torah scroll she helped save are nothing short of a miracle.

The musical presentation will once again feature Jonathan Rimberg on piano and singing, and Stephanie Kurtzman on violin. Jonathan will be joined by the Yavneh Academy Choirs, directed by Marsha Motzen, for the performance of the Hymn of the Partisans. The evening will commence with the Yavneh Academy Choirs’ performance of the American and Israeli national anthems.

A pre-event reception for survivors and their families will take place in the high school’s Media room, beginning at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and Hebrew and Yiddish music will be provided by Yitzy Glicksman. The event is free to the public and handicapped-accessible accommodations are available. Teaneck High School is located on Cranford Place (off Queen Anne Road). For more information, go to teaneckyomhashoa.org or call Steve Fox at 201-362-6776. To attend the reception for survivors and their families, please call Dena Levie at 917-334-0937.

During the month of May, the Teaneck Public Library will feature Holocaust-inspired artwork by students at Teaneck High School and Yavneh Academy, past and present. The exhibit will include black and white pieces as well as those in color that are on loan from the schools’ Holocaust collections of student works. New this year, the artwork will be exhibited at the Bergenfield Public Library during the month of April.