All are welcome to the annual remembrance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), which will take place on Sunday, May 5th, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, at the Victoria Jewish Cemetery on Cedar Hill Road (south from Hillside Ave.). Those who perished in the Holocaust will be commemorated not as victims or statistics, but as the unique individuals that they were, while also honouring the strength and resilience of survivors and their families.
We know that for the safety of all people, the lessons of the Shoah and events leading up to this tragedy cannot be forgotten.
We will hear the stories of survivors now buried in our cemetery, as well as perspectives from students involved in the University of Victoria’s iWitness Holocaust Field School. Mr. Peter Nadler will reflect on how the current rise of antisemitism heightens the commemoration of the Shoah more than ever.
We truly honour the memory of those that suffered and perished through the Shoah by remembering their stories, and by being aware of the social and political events that made such a catastrophe possible and their resonances today.
The ceremony will also include music from that now-vanished world, music that can both move us and remind us of the flourishing cultures tragically upended by the Shoah.
Holocaust remembrance is not just a moment to reflect on this tragic past; more importantly, this commemoration can help us to think about how we act today.
Contact:
Richard Kool
E-mail: victoriashoahproject@gmail.com