Yom HaShoah-Holocaust Remembrance Day |
Yom HaShoah is a day when we remember the Jews who were killed during the Holocaust.
The Hebrew word shoah means whirlwind and it is used to describe the Holocaust.
The date of Yom HaShoah is the 27th Nissan (May).
What do we do on Yom HaShoah?
In Israel Yom HaShoah is a day of mourning where places of entertainment such as cinemas, banks and schools are closed.
Special memorial ceremonies are held in various community centres and at schools. There are certain prayers recited during these services called "El Meley Rachamim"and "Kaddish"(prayers said in honour of people who have died).
We light six candles to represent the six million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust and we observe two minutes of silence.
A siren sounds throughout the country for two minutes.
The sounding of this siren means that everyone should stop what they are doing (work, school etc) and stand in silence until the siren stops.
The memorial ceremony at Yad Vashem.
Yad Vashem is the name of Israels main Holocaust museum. On Yom HaShoah the President of Israel and other important people gather together with survivors, their families and the general public to take part in a service at Yad Vashem. Six torches are lit in remembrance of the six million Jews who were killed.
The ceremony begins with people laying wreaths at the foot of the torches. Holocaust survivors may read accounts of their experiences, and the day may feature songs and poetry, such as The Partisans Song.
There are many other places in Israel that also have memorial ceremonies, including schools and army bases, etc. The whole day is broadcast on television and radio.
NSW Board of Jewish Education
Academy BJE
Jewish Education and Resource Centre
56 Roscoe Street
Bondi Beach, Sydney
NSW 2026
Australia
Ph: (612) 9365 7900
Fax: (612) 9365 0976
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