Yom HaShoah event overflowing in Solivita

On Sunday night, Shalom Club held its annual Holocaust Remembrance Day event as planned. When I took over chairing this event around four years ago, we had 25 people in attendance. Tonight, there were between 130 and 150 people in a room meant to be at capacity at 108. Fortunately, it was a first-story room, and several stood outside the doors as we had too many for the fire code. Lou Ziemba's story was read by his wife Beth Landa. 

Two musicians provided musical interludes. Julia Wood sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "You'll Never Walk Alone." Dave Jorio accompanied Wood and then played the theme for "Schindler's List" on his flute (with instrumental background).

We have no idea why the audience for this event keeps growing. The Israeli-Gaza War? Word of mouth? My husband, Larry, commented that it was late this year, and many of the snowbirds have left. We could have had another 50 or so if it fell in April as it usually does. Next year, we are moving the event to the Ballroom, which holds a lot more people. The whole event was amazing.