Yom Hashoah

The Holocaust Memorial Site Of Yad Vashem

Soon after we put away our Pesach dis hes and return to our usual lives of work, routine and bread, we face the annual memorial day to the Holocaust. Known as Yom Hashoah, the 27th of Nissan is Yom HaZikaron La'Shoah U'LaGv'urah (Memorial Day for the Devastation and Heroism). A day set aside to memorialize the victims of the Nazi attrocities and recognize the heroism and determination of those who suffered at the hands of such utter hatred. In truth, it is impossible to pick ONE day on which to remember as the painful events of the Holocaust infuse every day of our lives, and so much more so, the lives of the survivors among us. We are fortunate to live at a time and in a place where our civil liberties afford us freedom of religion, freedom of speech and opportunities to show that tolerance and understanding between all people is the only way to guarantee a vibrant tomorrow for all.

In Israel, a siren will sound in the morning and all activity will stop as the nation stands for two silent minutes to remember. All activity...not just children in classrooms and people at the Yad Vashem memorial. The entire nation will stop - pedestrians in the streets, workers at their desks, buses on the roads...people will stand by their cars on the middle of major highways to recall the senseless horror that was committed against people.

It is a sobering experience that will be repeated the following week for those who died in defense of the State of Israel. It is a silence that truly rings in one's ears and forces the memory to remember.

 

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