Day Of Remembrance ~

The Hebrew word (Zachor) means to remember. Jews and non-Jews alike make a special effort to remember those that fought, those who suffered, and those who died in the Holocaust.
Six million Jews were murdered and families were completely decimated. The day of remembrance is called Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day — May 1.
This day is not only a day of remembrance, it’s a day of assurance to future generations that this atrocity must never happen again.
The word Holocaust means a massive devastation or destruction, especially by fire. The word Holocaust in this context refers to the state sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jews and other victims by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945.
Jews were the primary victims. Roma Gypsies, the handicapped and Slavic people also were targeted for destruction because of racial, ethnic, or national reasons. Millions more, including homosexuals, Jehovah’s witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war also suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi tyranny.
The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as our nation’s annual commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to those victims.
In accordance with its Congressional mandate, the museum is responsible for leading the nation in commemorating the Days of Remembrance, and for encouraging and sponsoring appropriate observances throughout the United States.
It has been over 60 years since the Holocaust occurred. Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate, said, “the past must live in the present,” we must remember the past to improve the present.”
Today, churches, synagogues and college campuses will be having special Holocaust Remembrance programs to remember the evil of the Holocaust, and to remind the present generation this should never happen again.
The Hillel organization at West Virginia University will be doing a 24-hour vigil (this is their 14th year doing so) where community members and students read names of victims of the Holocaust. The program takes place this year in the Mountainlair (WVU’s student union building).
This year they are opening their event with remarks from WVU’s Vice-President of Student Affairs, Ken Gray. Every hour they will say Kaddish (prayer for the departed) and light a yartzheit candle. Closing remarks will be delivered this year by WVU Professor of Law, Hollee Temple. The Hillel students are in charge of running the event.
Locally, B’er Chayim Congregation in Cumberland will be doing a commemoration for the millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust, and for the individuals who managed to survive. The commemoration will be incorporated with the regular weekly Friday night Sabbath Service