When the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida sings prayers in Hebrew, it becomes clear to an often emotional audience: Two persecuted groups have forged a deep connection.
The chorus, which is based in Wilton Manors, will perform at Temple Sinai of Hollywood on April 23 to commemorate Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day. And the significance will again resonate: Jews and LGBTQ people were discriminated against in the Holocaust and are facing harassment again today.
Every year since 2018, the chorus has performed at a Yom HaShoah gathering in south Broward County. The program always includes standards such as “Oseh Shalom” (“Maker of Peace” in Hebrew) and “Ani Ma’amin” (“I Believe”). This year, the chorus has added “Soon We Will Be Done,” an African-American spiritual, and “Bring Them Home,” a variation on “Bring Him Home,” from Les Misérables, with lyrics honoring Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Chorus members flock to this annual event and relish the blossoming relationships with the Jewish community, said Edward Otto Zielke, director of marketing and sponsorships for the chorus.
“This event has become a staple in our calendar,” Zielke said. “We see it as a way to participate in the remembrance and honor our chorus members of the Jewish faith.”
He said the group does not track how many of its 180 singing members are Jewish. But as part of the annual collaboration, members of all faiths have learned about the targeting of LGBTQ Europeans during the Holocaust, which adds an emotional component to the remembrance. Between 5,000 and 15,000 men accused of homosexuality were sent to concentration camps, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia.
The Hollywood commemoration will include a candle-lighting ceremony to honor all who suffered under the Nazis during World War II and their descendants. In previous years, six candles were lit to honor the 6 million Jews and many other groups killed during the Holocaust. Last year, a seventh candle commemorated those killed on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas raided Israel and killed 1,200, and seven candles will again be lit at the upcoming ceremony.
For several years, Temple Sinai partnered to organize the commemoration with Temple Solel, a Reform congregation in Hollywood. This year, Sinai’s partner is Temple Beth El of Hollywood, another Reform synagogue.
The commemoration will delve into the story of German teenage girls who worked as secretaries at Auschwitz and how much they knew about what was going on adjacent to their offices. After the ceremony, attendees will spill into a social hall where tables will be hosted by Holocaust survivors and their children and grandchildren.
Discrimination against Jews and LGBTQ community members links the groups sadly but inextricably, said Hillary Josephs, Temple Sinai’s programming vice president.
“It’s a convergence of hate,” she said. “There is a lot going on that integrates the Jewish community and the LGBTQ community. Their voice at this program is magical.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Yom HaShoah 2025 Commemoration
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23
WHERE: Temple Sinai of Hollywood, 1400 N. 46th Ave.
COST: Free
INFORMATION: sinaihollywood.org