What can I do to commemorate Yom HaShoah?

Answered by
Rabbi Victor S. Appell

Yom HaShoah is Holocaust Memorial Day. It is a mitzvahmitzvahמִצְוָהLiterally, “commandment." A sacred obligation. Jewish tradition says the Torah contains 613 mitzvot Mitzvot refer to both religious and ethical obligations.  to remember those who perished during the Nazi Holocaust. Many congregations and Jewish community centers hold memorial services on Yom HaShoah. Some light a memorial candle, often yellow, as a tangible reminder. Reading about the Holocaust or watching one of the many films about the Holocaust are appropriate and educational ways of marking the day. If you are spending the day with children, consider reading a book about the Holocaust through a child’s perspective. Many middle and high school students have learned about Anne Frank or read books by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. These can be topics for a meaningful discussion.

Interested in attending a Holocaust Commemoration event near you? Check out this interactive map from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

See also: Technology Provides a New Way to Observe Yom HaShoah