Re: Invite to an "Evening with a Holocaust Survivor" - February 25

[Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik]

Good afternoon Commissioners!

Just following up and making sure my email was received. I know it was very late notice. I also note a possible change in your email addresses?

Thanks!

Rabbi

On Friday, February 20, 2026 at 03:18:03 PM MST, Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik <rabbig...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Greetings Commissioners!

I hope this finds you well.

We are honored to invite you to the “Evening with a Holocaust Survivor,” the keynote event of the 27th Annual Holocaust Awareness Week at Colorado State University. 

We apologize for the very late notice and understand how busy your schedule must be. Due to the increasing difficulty of securing a survivor able to travel, confirmation was only received recently.

We are privileged to welcome Barbara Steinmetz, 89, born in Hungary in 1936. After fleeing persecution during World War II and rebuilding her life in the United States, she has spent decades sharing her testimony and educating others about the dangers of antisemitism and hatred.

In June 2025, she was injured in the violent antisemitic firebomb attack in Boulder while participating in a peaceful walk for hostages. Despite this, she continues to speak with courage and conviction.

With nearly 2,000 attendees annually, this is the largest Holocaust awareness event in Colorado and neighboring states. Opportunities to hear firsthand testimony are becoming increasingly rare.

Wednesday, February 25.

7:00 p.m. – Main Ballroom, Lory Student Center

5:30 p.m. – VIP Reception, University Lounge (LSC 399)

We will reserve VIP seating for you and your guests; please let us know your party size.

Full schedule: www.holocaust.colostate.edu

Thank you,

Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik

On behalf of Holocaust Awareness Week at CSU

[John Kefalas]

Food morning Rabbi,

Thank you for this invitation to attend tonight's Holocaust Awareness keynote speaker event. Regrettably, I cannot attend due to unchangeable community meeting commitments this evening. I am sorry that I cannot be present to hear Barbara Steinmetz's wisdom, but I first learned of Holocaust Awareness Week (2/20-2/27) in the Coloradoan article over the weekend. Best wishes for a powerful and successful event lest we forget. Hopefully one of us can attend. Be well.

	John Kefalas (he/him) County Commissioner, District 1
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 W: (970) 498-7001 Cell:  (720) 254-7598 jkef...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org

[Kristin Stephens]

Dear Rabbi,

Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it either as I have to attend a previously scheduled community meeting. I am so sorry to miss this year; please let Mrs. Steinmetz know that we are honored to have her come to our community. I am so sorry that I won't be able to meet her and welcome her. 

All the best,

Kristin

	Kristin Stephens  County Commissioner, District 2
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80521 | 1st Floor W: (970) 498-7002| Cell: (970) 443-9577 kste...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org