Temple to host Yom Hashoah program

The Jewish Center of the Moriches will be hosting their Yom Hashoah program on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. at 227 E. Main Street in Center Moriches.

The event will include a presentation with Holocaust survivor Dr. Louis Kessel, followed by a question-and-answer session and refreshments. 

Kessel wrote a memoir, titled “Leibele, Where Are You Going?: The Journey from a Holocaust Childhood to a New Life.”

Dr. Kessel is a Holocaust survivor and educator. Born in Tashkent during the aftermath of World War II, Kessel spent his earliest years inside the trauma of war, displacement, and survival.

After living in German displaced persons’ camps, he immigrated to the United States as a child.
Kessel said he developed a deep sensitivity to identity, belonging, and resilience. Though his parents rarely spoke of their experiences, their strength and sacrifices became the foundation of his character.

Over time, he came to understand that his story was not only his own, but part of a larger history that needed to be preserved. Originally hesitant to write due to language barriers and emotional weight, Kessel began documenting his experiences through notes and letters.

However, after the loss of his mother and brother, he took the responsibility of preserving his family’s history and sharing it with future generations.
In “Where Are You Going?,” Kessel reflects on a life shaped by survival, adaptation, and the pursuit of meaning.

Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling the synagogue at 631-878-0388 or emailing jewishcenterofthemoriches@gmail.com