Yom HaShoah, which loosely means "Day of The Catastrophe" in Hebrew, is Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was officially established as a holiday by the Israeli government in the 1950s. In the United States, Holocaust Remembrance Day was first observed in 1979. It is now a day of commemoration for people worldwide. This year, Holocaust Remembrance Day falls on May 2. You can participate by reading the names of victims, lighting candles and talking to survivors.
“Six million of our people live on in our hearts. We are their eyes that remember. We are their voice that cries out. The dreadful scenes flow from their dead eyes to our open ones. And those scenes will be remembered exactly as they happened.”
— Shimon Peres, former prime minister of Israel
Most remembrance activities will be held from April 28 to May 5.
Wednesday, May 1 - Seattle Hebrew Academy Elementary, 5-6:30 p.m.
The Holocaust - Engaging in Remembering - Israeli American Council Seattle in collaboration with The Holocaust Center for Humanity invites teens 7th grade-12th grade for a special opportunity to commemorate the Holocaust. 1617 Interlaken Drive East, Seattle, WA 98112
Thursday, May 2 - Seattle Central College in BE 1110, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Faculty and staff are invited to participate in a full day of Holocaust Remembrance Day activities organized by Seattle Central’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Team. Come and listen to stories about survivors, learn about Holocaust resources, and learn how to respond to Anti-Semitism and other prejudices.
Thursday, May 2 - Henry and Sandra Friedman Holocaust Center for Humanity, Seattle, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Explore the new exhibit, "Finding Light in the Darkness," which challenges us to consider how each person's actions make a difference. Free admission. Find details here.
Sunday, May 5 - Seattle Art Museum, Plestcheeff Auditorium, 2-4
Actress Samara Lerman presents her one-woman play "Cyla's Gift" followed by a candle-lighting ceremony. Free. Register here.