The Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara and Jewish Family Service will host a special presentation and visit for local elected officials to the Portraits of Survival: Life Journeys During the Holocaust and Beyond exhibit at the Jewish Federation’s Bronfman Family JCC on Aug. 12.

Carpinteria Mayor Fred Shaw, Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo and Santa Barbara City Council members Kristen Sneddon, Oscar Gutierrez, Meghan Harmon and Eric Friedman are slated to attend.

The exhibit illustrates photography depicting the experiences of Santa Barbara residents who are survivors and refugees of the Holocaust. The officials attending have an opportunity to hear an inspiring story of survival directly from one who lived it personally.

Timing for the presentation was chosen to coincide with the Jewish commemoration of Tisha B’Av (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av), which this year falls on Aug. 11.

This ancient biblical fast day recalls the death and destruction which have befallen the Jewish people throughout the ages, especially due to Sinat Hinam (baseless hatred), which has abounded throughout society contributing to its downfall. Not only the basis for the Holocaust, this ubiquitous hate continues to be an issue for all to face and address.

The Portraits of Survival: The Portraits of Survival Exhibit and Program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara plays a vital role in the Santa Barbara community and beyond.

Since its inception in 2003, more than 20,000 school children and community members have been impacted by the stories of Santa Barbara’s local Holocaust Survivor community, having heard these moving accounts directly from them, and therefore becoming witnesses to history themselves.

In 2012, the program was expanded to include the Upstanders: Courage in the Face of Evil Exhibit, with its vital message that we can all be upstanders in our own lives every day, standing up for what is right and just in our society and the world community at large.

The Aug. 12 event will be facilitated by Ruth Dubin Steinberg, director of Jewish Family Service and the Portraits of Survival Exhibit and Program and accompanied by Dr. Stanley Ostern, Holocaust survivor (survived as a hidden child). For more information or questions, email Info@sbjf.org.

— Julia Solomon for Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.