Beth Emet students help honor Holocaust survivors at annual luncheon

Beth Emet School middle school students took part in the annual Holocaust Survivor Celebration Luncheon with Jewish Family Services of Broward County in Cooper City, Florida, on July 2, 2026. The event connected students with survivors to preserve testimony, build intergenerational understanding, and reinforce Holocaust remembrance as survivor numbers decline.

Why it matters: - Beth Emet School students helped turn Holocaust remembrance into direct, lived learning for a new generation. - The luncheon brought students face to face with survivors, helping preserve testimony while South Florida’s survivor population ages. - The event reinforced the role of intergenerational engagement in keeping Holocaust memory active in the community.

What happened: - Beth Emet School students participated in the annual Holocaust Survivor Celebration Luncheon in partnership with Jewish Family Services of Broward County. - Seventh- and eighth-grade students greeted survivors, helped guide them through the event, assisted with photographs and activities, supported seating, and served food and beverages. - Students also took part in the program and musical portions of the day. - The event was held in Cooper City, Florida, on July 2, 2026.

The details: - Students spent time speaking directly with Holocaust survivors and hearing personal stories firsthand. - Many students returned to future events to reconnect with survivors they had met before. - The celebration included music, singing, dancing, and shared moments between students and survivors. - A teacher said the connections were extraordinary and gave students a deeper understanding of the Holocaust, greater respect for survivors, and a responsibility to carry stories forward. - Jewish Family Services of Broward County organizes the annual luncheon to honor hundreds of Holocaust survivors throughout South Florida. - Broward County is home to one of the largest populations of Holocaust survivors in the United States.

Between the lines: - The luncheon functioned as both a community celebration and a history lesson that cannot be replicated through classroom instruction alone. - The student role went beyond volunteering and became a form of service grounded in remembrance, empathy, and Jewish values. - The event also underscored a broader urgency: as survivors age, opportunities for direct testimony become more limited.

What's next: - Beth Emet School said it will continue its commitment to Holocaust education and community service. - The school plans to keep participating in the annual tradition and teaching values of remembrance, empathy, and tikkun olam. - The goal is to ensure that survivors’ stories and lessons continue reaching future generations. - More information: Beth Emet School on Instagram - More information: Beth Emet School on Facebook

The bottom line: - The luncheon showed how student service can help keep Holocaust memory personal, immediate, and alive.