Robbie Schaefer, Musician and Son of a Holocaust Survivor, Ceremony Speaker

For Immediate Release: 

The City of Alexandria will observe the Days of Remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust, at noon on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Market Square, 301 King St. The City of Alexandria hosts the annual ceremony as part of the weeklong commemoration of the national Days of Remembrance, Sunday, April 17, through Sunday, April 24, 2023. This is the 34th year the cityhas held the Days of Remembrance ceremony. The event is free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the City Council Chambers located on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 301 King St. 

The guest speaker will be Robbie Schaefer, the son of a Holocaust survivor. He is a musician, songwriter, and theatre artist devoted to service through the arts. The guitarist and songwriter for the indie folk band, Eddie From Ohio, has also recorded several solo albums including 2017′s Sounds Like Home: Songs From the Musical, Light Years. 

In addition, Robbie is the founder of OneVoice, an international non-profit that unites and empowers youth through music and the creative arts. The organization has completed projects in Tanzania, Nicaragua, India, Greece, and Israel. To learn more about Robbie Schaefer, visit his website: www.robbieschaefer.com

During the ceremony, Mayor Justin Wilson and members of City Council will light a candelabrum that the late Holocaust survivor Charlene Schiff and her husband, Ed, donated to the city. The 54-inch high, solid brass candelabrum was donated in memory of Charlene Schiff’s parents and sister, and the six million Jews and millions of others who perished in the Holocaust. The Schiff candelabrum is also made available to schools and civic groups studying the Holocaust.

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum leads the nation in the weeklong Days of Remembrance commemoration, in accordance with Congressional mandate.

For additional information on Alexandria’s Days of Remembrance ceremony, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.5565.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact CherylAnne.Colton@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5565, Virginia Relay 711.

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