By Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern
From 1933 to 1945, an estimated 11 million people – six million of whom were Jewish men, women and children – were systematically killed by the Nazis. This amounted to approximately two-thirds of the Jewish population in Europe at the time. On April 12, 1951 the Knesset – Israel’s parliament – set the Hebrew date, 27th of Nissan, as Yom Hashoah U’Mered HaGetaot, or Holocaust and Ghetto Revolt Remembrance Day. This year, Holocaust and Ghetto Revolt Remembrance Day falls on Thursday, April 16th.
There is no widespread ritual for the observance of Yom Hashoah, but many people have small ceremonies with candle lighting, speakers, prayers and poems. At 10 AM in Israel, countrywide alarms sound to commemorate the importance of the day. Men, women and children of all backgrounds and religions stop what they are doing and stand for the alarm.
This is followed by an official memorial service which the Prime Minister, President, army officials and Holocaust survivors attend.
The Niagara Foundation would like to honor all those who were affected by the events of the Holocaust. We make efforts to remember so that we do not forget, and continuously work towards a world where events like the Holocaust never happen again.