Friday, April 25, 2025
7:00 PM
Temple Adat Elohim
Join us for a meaningful Shabbat service in observance of Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial Day – an evening of remembrance, learning, and reflection with guest speaker Shoshana Brower.
About Shoshana Brower
Shoshana Brower is a writer, speaker, and advocate for social justice whose work sheds light on stories of moral courage and compassion. We are honored to welcome her as our guest speaker for the evening.
Brower will share reflections from her powerful article, The World Should Take Notice of Albania’s Code of Honor, which highlights the extraordinary actions of Albanians during the Holocaust. Guided by Besa, a sacred cultural code of honor, many Albanians risked their lives to protect Jewish refugees by opening their homes, disguising identities, and standing united in the face of danger.
A Legacy of Courage
Could you protect others if their lives were at risk, even at the expense of your own safety?
This is the provocative question Brower asks as she shares stories of Albanian families who followed their moral compass, putting honor above fear. Albania remains the only country in Europe where the Jewish population increased during the Holocaust, thanks to the bravery of individuals who saw no strangers, only guests.This is the provocative question Brower grapples with in her article. It’s a question that challenges us to consider what we would do in the face of hatred and persecution.
Brower’s storytelling often highlights the courage of individuals who hid Jewish families in his home, and countless others who followed a collective moral compass that valued honor above fear.
An Evening of Reflection and Inspiration
As we welcome Shoshana Brower to our congregation, we look forward to learning from her insights and experiences. Her message challenges each of us to consider how we might live by that same code of honor, to protect and care for others, no matter the cost.