February 21, 2025
By Shannon Levitt
Last May, Sheryl Bronkesh was chatting with an acquaintance, Mary Jane Rynd, at a dinner hosted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Someone briefly interrupted to congratulate Bronkesh, president of the Phoenix Holocaust Association (PHA), on the well-attended Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) event that had just taken place. Rynd asked what the event was all about. Bronkesh explained, then offhandedly confided to Rynd that she dreamed of honoring the dwindling number of living Holocaust survivors someplace “spectacular,” before it was too late.
“Could you imagine survivors walking down the aisle at Symphony Hall?” Bronkesh asked.
The next day, she awoke to an email from Rynd, who it turns out is a Phoenix Symphony board member, informing her that she had reached out to Peter Kjome, symphony president and CEO. She was intent on making Bronkesh’s dream come true.
On Sunday, April 27, PHA will host its annual community-wide Yom HaShoah Commemoration for the first time in its history at Symphony Hall, in partnership with the Phoenix Symphony.
“I’ve told some survivors and they are incredulous. They just can’t believe it!” Bronkesh told Jewish News.
After hearing the news, one stunned survivor immediately showed Bronkesh the goosebumps appearing on her arm. Others were excited even though they regretted that their late husband, wife or relative couldn’t share the experience. Still, the overall delight grew significantly after discovering that all of the survivors will sit in a place of honor on the symphony’s stage.
Last year’s commemoration at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale was attended by more than 500 people. With too few seats, some people ended up sitting on the floor. Bronkesh was overwhelmed by the size of the crowd and by the fact that this year, the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, shines a light on the small population of living Holocaust survivors.
The symphony’s theater can hold up to 2,241 people. Bronkesh will be “over the moon” if half that many people — enough to fill the lower level — come.
The fact that Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was already scheduled for the same Sunday didn’t worry Kjome, who told Jewish News the concert would proceed as planned at 2 p.m., three hours before the Yom HaShoah commemoration begins.
“Beethoven’s Ninth is the single most popular piece in the orchestral repertoire, so we expect to have many people coming to our concerts that weekend,” he said. Exhibits related to Yom HaShoah will be set up in the lobby of Symphony Hall, showcasing the upcoming Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center.
“Thus, anyone who comes to any of the weekend concerts will be able to learn more about the Holocaust and Yom HaShoah,” Kjome explained.
Anyone who registers for the Yom HaShoah commemoration, which is free of charge, can also get a 20% discount on the regular concert. All Holocaust survivors can attend for free.
The symphony added Paul Hindemith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis” to the afternoon concert. The German Hindemith was declared “degenerate” by the Nazi regime.
Kjome wanted to have music play a role in the commemoration itself. “We did some investigation of potential music for the Phoenix Symphony musicians to perform,” he said. The work of composers who perished during the war, including a work by Gideon Klein, composed just 10 days before his transport from Terezín to Auschwitz, will be part of the event.
“It’s so important to be able to honor their contributions,” he said.
Kjome found it inspiring to speak to local survivors Oskar Knoblauch and Esther Basch and suggested that the musicians could do the same in preparing for the late April performance.
The commemoration will include a procession of local Holocaust survivors, a candle-lighting ceremony to remember the six million murdered Jews, remarks by a survivor, an invocation by a local rabbi, music, prayers and the presentation of PHA’s Annual Shofar Zachor Award for outstanding contributions to Holocaust and genocide education. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who is Jewish, has already confirmed that she will attend.
Last year’s Yom HaShoah commemoration included clergy members from other faiths. Bronkesh said this year she’s heard from many more who will attend, some of whom will accompany a survivor during the lighting of candles.
“It is a privilege for the Phoenix Symphony to work together with the Phoenix Holocaust Association on this important event. We invite our entire community to join us, as we stand together in remembrance and unity,” Phoenix Symphony Board Chair Adam Goodman said in a press release. Goodman is also a member of the Greater Phoenix Jewish community.
Kjome emphasized that an important goal for the Phoenix Symphony is to be “an integral and indispensable part of the community.” Working with community organizations like PHA is critical to that goal.
“Our mission is focused on enriching our community through extraordinary musical experiences. In this case, while music is a part of it, it’s only a part of a greater whole,” he said.
Bronkesh said she’s extremely grateful to Kjome and the symphony for making this event happen — for her, but more importantly, for the survivors. Her parents were both survivors, and her commitment to PHA comes from carrying their memories forward. With a location that can hold so many people, she hopes to see a broad swath of the Valley, both Jewish and non-Jewish and young and old.
Kjome, who has been touched by Bronkesh’s dedication, added a personal perspective.
“This was Sheryl’s dream, and we’re working together to make Sheryl’s dream come true.” JN
To RSVP for Phoenix’s 2025 Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration, visit the phoenixsymphony.org/show/beethovens-ninth-symphony or phxha.com/remember.
