Holocaust Remembrance Day: Why My Family Observes Yom HaShoah Every Year by Meredith Schneider

In my opinion, everyone should have observed Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 7. Everyone should have talked to their children, so they can share and educate them and future generations. We follow a lot of traditions that celebrate joyful holidays with food, wine and prayers. Even though this is a very somber day it is extremely important to observe and educate others so this never happens again. #NeverForget

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) is observed annually on the 27th day of the Hebrew month Nisan. The word Shoah is Hebrew for “catastrophe” or “utter destruction." It is fitting, then, that Holocaust Remembrance Day is known as Yom HaShoah, a day first commemorated in 1949 and officially made Israeli state policy by 1951.

In Israel, a state ceremony is held in the Warsaw Ghetto Square at Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center. In addition to the state ceremony, various ceremonies are held at military bases, schools and all places of entertainment are closed.

We have four children and we observe Holocaust Remembrance Day every year. We watch the Band of Brothers episode Why We Fight, when the unit discovers a concentration camp. It is a graphic and heart-wrenching episode that brings home the horror and inhumanity of the Holocaust.

Here are some ways and ideas to observe at home with your family:

• Watch short videos with the kids. Here is a 40-second one. It is short but very impactful.

The Holocaust didn't start with the gas chambers, it began with words of hate. ✡️

Let us unite on the Eve of Holocaust Memorial Day against Antisemitism and blind hate. Jews must be safe wherever they are. #NeverForget #HolocaustRemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/e8R6bLZDsn

— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) April 7, 2021

• Visit The World Holocaust Remembrance Center website.

• Visit ReformJudaism.org website that shares seven Ideas for observing Yom HaShoah from home.

• Read this 30Seconds article with more ways to celebrate Yom HaShoah.

I think more needs to be done in our country to teach all generations young and old not to be hateful to others. No matter the color of our skin or religion, no words of hate should be spoken and no violence of hate should be performed. Our children are listening and watching. How we behave is how they will behave. Think about that for a second. Really think about it. If we stand up for others against antisemitism so will our children.

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