Yom HaSoah | Annual Jewish Rememberance Day for Victims of the Holocaust

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT YOM HASHOAH

(click question to see answers)

I have heard something about Yom HaShoah, but can you "remind" me what it is ?: The Annual Jewish Remembrance Day for Victims of the Holocaust
When was it established ?: In 1952 by the Knesset (Parliament) of the State of Israel
Is it held on January 27th ?: No. That is the International Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and other Genocides, which was established in 2001. Jews can also observe this Remembrance Day, but it is not the Jewish Memorial day. This as mentioned above, was established more than 50 years ago and is specifically to remember and honour the Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust.
So when does Yom HaShoah occur ?: On the 27th day of Nissan in the Jewish calendar, which falls shortly after Passover, in the months of either April or May in the English calendar. This date was chosen to recognise both the heroic resistance of the Warsaw Ghetto fighters which took place within this time span in 1943 and the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, on this date in 1945.
How will I know the day each year ?: The day is shown in most Jewish calendars/diaries and is publicised in the Jewish press or can be found through any internet search engine
Why should I observe it ?: Because if Jewish people themselves don't observe it, with the passing of time it will be forgotten. This will only strengthen the resolve of those who even now, attempt to deny that the Holocaust ever happened.
Why do we have to remember ?: To ensure that the 6 million Jewish Victims, including 1.5 million children, brutally murdered by the Nazis for no other reason than they were Jewish, are not forgotten; to honour their memory; and to shape a better future by learning the lessons from this uniquely tragic episode in Jewish history.
Who is responsible for organising Yom HaShoah commemoration in the UK ?: Since its inception, the responsibility for organising an annual commemoration ceremony in London, has been borne by the Board of Deputies of British Jews (the elected representative body of Anglo-Jewry).

Many religious organisations and their individual synagogues, organise commemoration services / events in their local communities throughout the UK, as well as many individual Jewish Communal organisations, Survivor, Refugee and Ex-Service groups.

The London event was initially organised through the Board's Yad Vashem Committee, working in conjunction with the Polish Jewish Ex-Servicemen's Association, the Association of Jewish Ex-servicemen and Women and the 45 Aid Survivor Group.

In more recent years, Yad Vashem UK has played the co-ordinating role and has additionally involved the Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade and many other UK Jewish organisations, working in the fields of Holocaust education, awareness and remembrance and Survivor, Refugee and Ex-service personnel welfare.

Now these various organisations, some 25 in number, have collaborated as "The Forum for Yom HaShoah" in considering the long term aspects of awareness and observance of Yom HaShoah, as the numbers of Survivors, Refugees and Ex-service personnel sadly decline.
Wasn't the main London commemoration held at the Logan Hall in London ?: Yes, in recent years, the London annual commemoration ceremony and remembrance service has been held in the Logan Hall, on the Sunday morning immediately following the day of Yom HaShoah, if that day is not a Sunday.

Recently, this event has been developed to make it more appealing to a wider and younger audience, in addition to Survivors, Refugees and Ex-service personnel, who historically have obviously made up the majority of the attendees.

In the last 4 years, a symbolic service of remembrance at the Dell has also been held, where it had previously taken place for many years since its inauguration.
What is the Dell ?: The Dell, is the name of an open air area in Hyde Park in Central London, where the UK National Memorial to the Holocaust is sited. It was inaugurated in the 1980's, through the initiative of the Board of Deputies and its then President, Mr (now Lord) Greville Janner.

The Memorial stone is in the Holocaust Memorial Garden, being at the westerly end of the Serpentine Lake.
Why did the annual commemoration not continue to be held there ?: Because of its restricted vehicle access and its vulnerability to poor weather conditions.
What is the "The Forum for Yom HaShaoh" initiative ?: There are some very big changes planned by the Forum for this next 5 year period.

It has decided that now is the time, whilst Survivors and Refugees and those who lived through this terrible episode in Jewish history are still with us to tell their stories to the present generation, to embark on a major campaign within Anglo-Jewry to create greater awareness and observance of Yom HaShoah and all it stands for.
What's happening this year 2010 ?: All the major religious organisations have agreed to designate the Shabbat prior to Yom HaShoah, this year being Shabbat April 10th, as "Yom HaShoah Shabbat". Special memorial prayers will be recited during the service and Rabbis are being asked to speak about the Holocaust and the lessons to be learned from it, for the benefit of future generations.

Also rather than focus on bringing London Jewry to one major 2 hour indoor event at the Logan Hall, it is intended to take the "Yom HaShoah message" out to the London and wider Community, by encouraging more Synagogues to hold commemoration services, more Communal and Youth organisations and Jewish schools to hold appropriate events and where possible, for Survivors and Refugees to be invited and tell of their experiences.
And the Dell in 2010 ?: For the first time since its inception in 1952, in this year and 2011, as well as in 2013 and 2014, Yom HaShoah falls on a Sunday. This gives the opportunity of emphasising the symbolic importance of holding the main Remembrance ceremony at the Dell and similar provincial sites. Being a Sunday, the whole Community can be invited to attend, rather than the limited symbolic Communal attendance invited for the previous weekday commemorations.

The Dell ceremony this year, will start at 11 am on Sunday 11th April and last app 45 minutes. It will comprise readings of psalms, poems and prayers both in Hebrew and English, in which those attending will be invited to participate. There will be singing by the Shabbaton Choir, the Sounding of the Shofar and the lighting of the 6 symbolic Memorial candles, by Survivors and Refugees, accompanied by their children and grandchildren.

Arrangements have now been made for transportation to take those unable to walk between the Serpentine car park and the Dell; an awning will be placed over a limited area of the Memorial Garden to give some protection against rain; a sound amplification system will be used; and limited seating will be available for those unable to stand during the 45 minute ceremony. Appropriate clothing and umbrellas will be needed, if rain is forecast.
So what will happen in 2012 ?: In 2012, when Yom HaShoah falls on a Thursday, the ceremony at the Dell and other provincial centres, will take place as usual on that day, but a whole day indoor event will be re-instated on the following Sunday in London. This will contain an enlarged programme, with films, talks, educational features, art and music all related to the Holocaust, intended to attract a much wider age range of audience. It will also give Survivors and Refugees a greater opportunity of meeting together and with the others present, during the lunch and tea intervals.
How will I find out about the events being held ?: Information will be made available on Synagogue notice-boards, through their mailings to members, or on their web-sites; in the local or national Jewish press; and in a Directory of Events, that will be published as Yom HaShoah approaches and which will also be available on the web-site of the Forum for Yom HaShoah web-site: www.yomhashoah.org.uk.