January 21, 2024 – In Commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Am Yisrael Chai presents a powerful and unforgettable event:

COURAGE and CONVICTION – The Holocaust in Lithuania.

Keynote speakers: Elly Gotz, Grant Gochin and Silvia Foti.

The Holocaust in Lithuania resulted in an almost complete annihilation of the Jewish community. More than 95 percent of Lithuania’s Jewish population (approximately 200,000 Jews) were murdered by the Nazis and their Lithuanian collaborators during the War – mostly between June and December of 1941. This was a more complete destruction than befell any other country affected by the Holocaust. A deep and simmering level of antisemitism fueled this destruction in Lithuania – and sadly, it is not unlike the deepening and unbridled antisemitism we are experiencing around the world today.

Elly Gotz was born in Kovno, Lithuania in 1928. During the War, life became increasingly difficult for Jews. Elly survived 3 years in the Kovno ghetto and was later deported to Dachau. Elly is an author and passionate Holocaust educator.

Grant Gochin is a South African born Jew who lost more than 100 members of his family inLithuania.  He is a philanthropist, author, journalist, politician and activist. He is the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Togo, and the Vice Dean of the Los Angeles Consular Corps.

Silvia Foti is a devout Catholic from Chicago, who discovered that her grandfather – who was considered a war hero in Lithuania, was complicit in the murder of Lithuanian Jews. Silvia is the author of Storm in the Land of Rain, journalist, and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee (2023). Together, Grant and Silvia expose the truth about the mass murders and killings across Lithuania. Their story is told in the movie – J’Accuse that gives a voice to the victims so cruelly murdered.

Please join us for the movie J’Accuse followed by the Courage and Conviction event featuring Elly Gotz as well as Grant Gochin, Silvia Foti and movie producer, Michael Kretzmer and that includes a panel discussion hosted by Nadia Bilchik.

Date:             Sunday, January 21, 2024

Time:             7:00pm — 8:30pm EST – Online event

After signing up, you will receive a link to the movie, and for the online event.

RSVP required; Signup/Donate at: https://bit.ly/AYCEvent

This event is free and open to the public.

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The 144 citizenship candidates originate from the following 52 countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kosovo, Liberia, Mexico, Montenegro, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Serbia, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts-Nevis, The Gambia, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen. Of those naturalizing, two are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This year, USCIS will welcome more than 10,000 new citizens in nearly 130 naturalization ceremonies between Nov. 7 and 13. Of those being naturalized, more than 250 are veterans, service members and military spouses. USCIS is asking new citizens and their families and friends to share the experience and photos at their ceremonies via Twitter using the hashtag #newUScitizen.

WHO:
USCIS New York District Director Phyllis Coven

WHEN:

Friday, November 13, 9 a.m. (media will be escorted in starting at 8:30 a.m.)
WHERE:
USCIS NY District Office
26 Federal Plaza (please use the entrance on Duane Street between Broadway and Lafayette)

CONTACT:
Katie Tichacek, USCIS Public Affairs Officer, 212-264-5098, 202-420-9581 (cell) katherine.tichacek@uscis.dhs.gov

NOTE:
Media interested in participating, please RSVP to Katie Tichacek (contact info above) no later than 9:00 am EST on November 13.

– USCIS –

News Release Nov. 9, 2015

USCIS Will Host Naturalization Ceremonies to Honor Veterans and their Families

WASHINGTON—Veterans, service members and military spouses across the country will become U.S. citizens this week as they take the Oath of Allegiance at special Veterans Day naturalization ceremonies. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will highlight the sacrifices that military members and their families have made while serving our country. From Nov. 7-13, USCIS will welcome more than 10,000 new citizens in nearly 130 naturalization ceremonies across the country and around the world. Of those being naturalized, more than 255 are veterans, service members and military spouses.

Many current and former military members and their families are eligible for citizenship, including expedited screening and overseas processing, under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Since Oct. 1, 2001, when data collection on military naturalizations began, more than 109,000 service members have become U.S. citizens, including individuals serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea, Germany, Japan and elsewhere. In 2015 alone, USCIS hosted nearly 175 naturalization ceremonies at military installations in the U.S. and abroad.

“On Veterans Day, we salute the men and women who have so courageously served our country and defended the freedoms that it was built upon. Among our brave veterans are thousands of immigrants, many of whom vowed to defend their new home even before they were citizens,” USCIS Director León Rodríguez said. “It is because of their extraordinary sacrifices, and those of their families, that we can enjoy the rights and liberties of living in this great country.”

USCIS has a robust military outreach program that provides information about immigration and naturalization to service members and veterans at military installations, Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, universities and various military organizations. USCIS also has offices on multiple military installations, including Fort Benning, Georgia; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. These offices identify recruits who may be eligible for naturalization.

USCIS’ Veterans Day activities this year will feature a naturalization ceremony at the USS Torsk and USS Constellation, located at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, on Nov. 11. During this event, Dan Renaud, USCIS associate director for the Field Operations Directorate, will administer the Oath of Allegiance, and Sgt. Maj. Mercy A. Diez of the U.S. Army Band will be recognized as an Outstanding American by Choice.

Other ceremonies include events at:
· American Heroes Air Show in Orlando, Florida, on Nov. 7.
· Cullman Performance Hall of Tryon Palace in New Bern, North Carolina, on Nov. 11.
· Joint Base Lewis McChord in Seattle, Washington, on Nov. 13.

In addition, 12 recruits will become new citizens at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, through the Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative. Developed with the Department of Defense, this program allows enlisted service members to complete the naturalization process during basic training.

USCIS invites new citizens, and their families and friends, to share their experiences from the ceremonies through Twitter and other social media using the hashtag #newUScitizen.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook(/uscis), and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

– USCIS –

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