Yom HaShoah (יום השואה), or Holocaust Remembrance Day, begins the evening of April 20, 2020, which is the start of the 27th day of Nisan on the Jewish calendar, and ends in the evening of April 21, 2020. You can find more information about the Jewish calendar from Chabad.org. This day of remembrance has been observed worldwide by the Jewish people and their allies since the 1950's. Yom HaShoah commemorates the lives lost in the Shoah. Shoah is a Hebrew word meaning "catastrophe" or "utter destruction" and is used in this context to refer to the millions of Jews who perished in the Holocaust. This holiday serves as a reminder of the Holocaust and "the horrors that Jews and other persecuted groups faced: forced labor, starvation, humiliation, and torture, which often resulted in death." (from ReformJudaism.org). This day is a time for us to remember those who suffer(ed) directly and indirectly as a result of the Holocaust.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, there are many opportunities for you to gather virtually in remembrance of the lives lost, and to learn more alongside other members of your community:
1. Seattle's Holocaust Center for Humanity is hosting a Virtual Holocaust Remembrance Day Program on April 21, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m via Zoom (https://zoom.us/s/98422030077) featuring Holocaust survivor George Elbaum.
2. The Israel State Ceremony (which was pre-recorded due to Covid -19 restrictions) was broadcast at 1:00 p.m. EDT (8:00 p.m. in Israel) and is available to watch online. It features stories, music, prayers,
and messages from the Israeli President and Prime Minister.
3. My Jewish Learning has a great website full of suggested online ceremonies and resources for Yom HaShoah.
Now, more than ever, it is important to reflect on the impact of unchecked hate in our society and to consider what our personal role is in preventing and taking a stand against everyday acts of intolerance and bias.
Never again.
