
By Rachel Loria
On Sunday, Nov. 9, Emek Sholom Board Members and supporters throughout the state of Virginia gathered at Emek Sholom Cemetery in the east end of Henrico.
The purpose, similar to years past, was to remember family members who perished during the Holocaust.
This year, similar to last, we honored those who are fighting for Israel, those who died defending our precious homeland, and those hostages whose safe return we anxiously await.


Irina Manelis and Alex Keisch led the ceremony this year and brought in speakers including Heidi Nunnally, 2nd Generation Survivor and daughter of Frances Nunnally, of blessed memory; Orly Lewis, CEO of Weinstein JCC; and Bob Marcellus, who coordinated the delivery of 13 tons of body armor to Israeli first responders and the IDF.

Participants also included Cantor Sarah Beck-Berman (Beth Ahabah) and Rabbi Sherry Grinsteiner (Or Atid).

As always, the committee honors a high school student with the Esther J. Windmueller Never Again Award. Students submit essays about combatting anti-Semitism.
The 2024 winner is Elina Habib, a sophomore at Glen Allen High School.
She presented her poignant and well-written essay comparing the events of Kristallnacht to the current war in Israel.
She spoke about the need for education and awareness to prevent the rampant spread of anti-Semitism.
The second-place winner for 2024 was Nicoletta (Nica) Shapovalova, who also tied in events of October 7. 2023, and included the need for more education and awareness.
Kristallnacht 2024 at Emek Sholom created an opportunity for prayer, meaningful speakers and the power of community. We remain grateful to our board members and chairs of the event for their hours of preparation and thought, but we are most grateful for the community that supports us and creates our sacred community year after year.
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*Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery is the final resting place for persons of the Jewish faith who have physical and/or emotional ties to the Holocaust, and their families. Its primary goal is to memorialize victims of the Holocaust, whose descendants live(d) in the greater Richmond area, through maintaining the historic Holocaust Memorial landmark, and promoting Holocaust education.*