By Joyce Moed
Special to the Journal

The Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens is hosting a Holocaust remembrance event where attendees will view segments of a well-known film and will then be able to meet one of heros portrayed in the film.

“A Night to Remember,” will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, and will show parts of the movie “Defiance,” which documents the story of young brothers who saved more than 1,200 lives while hiding out in the woods. Following, Aron Bell, the youngest of the Bielski brothers featured in the film will be on hand to answer questions.

“Jan. 27th was the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.  Since it was the 65th anniversary, we thought it was very important to do something commemorating the Holocaust,” said Rabbi Dovid Vigler, spiritual leader of the Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens. “Also this story is a great way to showcase a leader and hero who is still alive today. The message of the story is just so inspirational. One of surviving against all odds. You watch the movie, you think ‘ha ha, it was a Hollywood movie. The hero always survives.’ But this was a real story. They did survive. And they lived on to build families and business and lives.”

The event also kicks off the Jewish Learning Institute course “Portraits in Leadership: Timeless Tales for Inspired Living,” which will begin this month at the Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens, along with other locations across the country.

Bell also appeared on the Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens’ Sunday morning show, “The Schmooze,” giving a preview of Thursday evening’s event. “The Schmooze” airs every Sunday from 9 to a.m. on Seaview Radio 960 AM and 95.9 FM. It can also be heard at www.SeaviewAm960.com.
“On Dec. 20, in the Kremlins towers in Moscow, the Federation of Jewish Communities had their annual man-of-the-year ceremony,” Vigler said. “Eleven awards were given. The bravery award was given to Aron Bell for defying and overcoming the Nazis.”

Vigler said that how the idea for the event in Palm Beach Gardens was conceived. Chabad member Marina Popovetsky sent Vigler an e-mail in which she translated an article from Russia about Bell’s award.

“I read it and said ‘this was so moving,’ and said ‘is there any way he can speak here?” Vigler said. “She was the one that pulled it off.”

Popovetsky said she also very passionate about topic of Jews in World War II because they “are predominately portrayed as helpless victims that offered no resistance.”

“The ones that were fighting in the camps, in the forests and in the regular army are not recognized and not celebrated,” she said. “Only now we are beginning to do that, but running out of time. That generation is in their late 80s. The numbers are declining.”

One example of that, Popovetsky said, is that of the Bielski brothers, “only Aron is still around to tell the full story and to answer the questions.”

All proceeds of the Feb. 4 event will benefit children’s programming.

“There could be no sweeter revenge to Hitler than educating Jewish children,” Vigler said. “The only reason the Jewish people have outlived all our enemies is only because our conviction to our faith and to our fathers – to the Torah.”

The cost to attend “A Night to Remember,” which also includes a wine and cheese reception, is $15 in advance or $20 at the door, at 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave. Suite 1110, Palm Beach Gardens, in the “Downtown at the Gardens” shopping center. To register call 561-624-2223 or visit www.JewishGardens.com.