AIDS Candlelight Memorial

Temple Sinai, Brookline, MA

May 20, 2007

The Candlelight Memorial is the world's largest annual grassroots AIDS event.  This year the 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil was observed in more than 9,000 cities in 110 nations.  SHARED coordinated the event for the Town of Brookline for the second year in a row.  The vigil honors the memory of people who have died from AIDS and demonstrates support for people living with HIV and AIDS.

SHARED volunteer Lily from Brookline High and SHARED Director Joyce Ozer work behind the scenes to prepare an art exhibition of work by the 2nd grade students at the Lawrence School in Brookline.  This artwork will be donated to the Maluti Hospital in Lesotho, southern Africa

Rabbi Andy Vogel welcomes the particpants in the Annual International AIDS Memorial to Temple Sinai

SHARED President Elizabeth Ziemba gives the opening remarks

Rachel Baras (above) and Lauren Fox (below), winners of the AIDS Essay Contest at Brookline High School, read their award-winning papers.

Rabbi Karen Landy from the Jewish Family Children's Services of Greater Boston shares moving stories about the many people she has met through her job who have died from AIDS

SHARED board member, Kathryn Kempton enlightens the audience on the impact that AIDS has had in Lesotho, southern Africa

Leo Eguchi, a faculty member at Brookline Music School, plays a Musical Tribute to the AIDS victims worldwide

Rachel Baras and Lauren Fox, the AIDS Essay Contest Winners light the candles.  Six candles are lit, five candles symbolize each continent where AIDS is rapidly taking its toll of the population, and the sixth is lit as

a symbol of hope.

Reverend Evrol Officer from the Christ Church Unity delivers the closing remarks of the ceremony

Following the memorial, the distinguished speakers, SHARED volunteers and guests enjoy a reception in the Temple Common Room

A guest is inspired by the artwork provided by the 2nd grade students at the Lawrence School in Brookline.  The artwork will be sent as a gift to the children at the Maluti Hospital, Mapoteng, Lesotho

Elizabeth Ziemba presents a member of the Temple Sinai with a gift of appreciation - the beautiful candle stands used in the memorial