Yom Hashoah, Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust, and Heroism

Pesach is over and we move directly into our next event on the Jewish calendar, Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah, Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust, and Heroism.   As we approach the solemn occasion of Yom Hashoah, I wanted to take a moment to invite you to our community-wide Yom Hashoah program sponsored by the Board of Rabbis of Southern Nevada. It will take place on Sunday, May 5 at 4 PM at Temple Sinai 9001 Hillpointe Rd Las Vegas, NV 89134.  You are welcome to come earlier to meet in small groups with survivors beginning at 3 PM. 

Yom Hashoah, which is observed on the 27th of Nisan, is a day that holds great significance for the Jewish people. It was chosen by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, as the official day for Holocaust remembrance. The selection of this date was not arbitrary; rather, it was a deliberate choice to commemorate the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, a symbol of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust.

As the years pass and we move further away from the events of World War II, it becomes increasingly important for us to participate in Yom Hashoah programs actively. We are witnessing a dwindling number of survivors who can bear witness to the atrocities that occurred. Their first-hand accounts are invaluable, providing a connection to history that no textbook or documentary can fully convey.

By attending our community-wide Yom Hashoah program, we not only pay tribute to the victims and survivors, but we also carry forward their legacy. It is through our collective remembrance and commitment to never forget that we ensure the lessons of the Holocaust continue to resonate with future generations.

I urge each of you to mark your calendars and join us on this significant day. In a world seeing so much hatred and violence toward the Jewish people, almost eighty years after the Holocaust, it is more important than ever to mark this official day.  Together, let us stand united in remembrance, honoring the memory of those who perished and vowing to build a world free from hatred, prejudice, and discrimination.

May the memory of the Holocaust serve as a constant reminder of our duty to promote peace, justice, and understanding in our community and beyond. We look forward to seeing you at our community-wide Yom Hashoah program.

Rabbi Bradley Tecktiel