Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorated annually in Israel on the 27th of Nisan, is a national day of remembrance dedicated to honoring the memory of the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust. This year, Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed on the 26th of Nisan because the original date falls on a Friday. When this occurs, the observance is traditionally moved out of respect for the sanctity of the Sabbath.
The day begins in the evening with a state ceremony held at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. During the ceremony, speeches are given, six torches are lit in memory of the six million victims, and memorial prayers are recited. The next day, a two-minute siren sounds throughout the country, during which the public halts all activities to remember the victims. This moving act is a symbol of national unity in the face of a painful history.
Additionally, various events take place nationwide, such as school memorial services, community gatherings, and the screening of documentaries and television programs dedicated to the subject. These events aim not only to remember but also to educate the younger generation about the past and raise awareness of the importance of combating anti-Semitism and racism in all its forms.
Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel is a day of reflection and remembrance, connecting the people to the journey of rebirth and the profound significance of ensuring a better future for generations to come.
Hebrew Vocabulary List:
| עברית | English | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| יום השואה | Holocaust Remembrance Day | Yom HaShoah |
| זיכרון | Remembrance | Zikaron |
| ניצולי שואה | Holocaust survivors | Nitzolei Shoah |
| צפירה | Siren | Tzifira |
| ששת המיליונים | The six million | Sheshet HaMillionim |
| יד ושם | Yad Vashem | Yad Vashem |
| תפילות זיכרון | Memorial prayers | Tefilot Zikaron |
| גזענות | Racism | Gizanut |
| חשבון נפש | Reflection | Cheshbon Nefesh |
| אחדות | Unity | Achdut |