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Holocaust Remembrance Day


Question:

What is “Holocaust Remembrance Day” and when is it this year?



AskTheRabbi.org answered:

Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom Hashoah, is usually observed on the 27th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. It commemorates the millions of Jewish people that were killed during the Holocaust.

This year it is observed one day later than usual, from May 1st, Sunday evening, until the night of May 2nd. The Israeli Rabbinate and the State of Israel have officially “pushed it off” to be observed one day later than in other years. This is to avoid possible desecration of Shabbat that might occur in preparations for the special ceremonies that take place on the eve of the day, which would have otherwise been Saturday night.

The main observances are a memorial ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, sirens followed by a moment of silence for introspection, and closure of all places of entertainment in Israel from Sunday evening until Monday night. Special programs about the Holocaust are aired throughout the day.

In addition, contemporary Rabbis have composed special lamentations to memorialize the tragedy of the Holocaust which are recited on the morning of Tisha B’Av.


 
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