Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: James Sedlis 
Location: Merrill Hall Auditorium, B10

Speaker Biography: James Sedlis, the son of two Holocaust survivors, will share the remarkable story of his father, who fought for the Lithuanian Jewish resistance during World War II. His father also joined Soviet forces against the Germans, hiding in forest bunkers and engaging in street-to-street combat to help reclaim Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. James’ presentation will highlight acts of resistance to the Nazi regime and offer insight into Holocaust experiences beyond the camps and ghettos.

Remembrance Program Archives (1982-2025)
Contains information on past remembrance programs, including streaming video, newspaper articles, photos, program flyers, and more.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship ensures this long-standing program remains accessible, impactful, and relevant for future generations. It also expands the program’s reach by increasing student involvement and strengthening community partnerships. Support for the Holocaust Remembrance Program underwrites speakers, educational materials, student engagement, and community outreach.

Imagining the Holocaust Writing Contest
The Department of English at Jacksonville State University has “reimagined” the Imagining the Holocaust Writing Contest for middle and high school students to include new categories in commemorative poetry, creative nonfiction, and multimodal composition. The top three middle and high school students in each category will win cash prizes: 1st - $150, 2nd - $100, 3rd - $50. Teachers of the 1st place winners will receive a $150 classroom grant. The contest deadline is February 20. Additionally, the program has expanded to include classroom grants for middle and high school teachers up to $600 and separate teaching circle grants of $1500 each to one middle and one high school teaching circle. The deadline for grant proposals is February 1. Teachers must use their funds for tangible materials to assist them in teaching the Holocaust and its literature in the classroom. Please see the Imagining the Holocaust website for more information.

Contact Program Planners
E-mail program planners for information or questions about the annual Holocaust Remembrance program.

National Days of Remembrance
The national Days of Remembrance program observed by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.