Yom HaShoah

Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, is Israel’s national day to commemorate the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and to honor acts of Jewish resistance. Marked on the 27th of Nisan (April or May), it is observed in Israel and by Jewish communities worldwide with ceremonies, moments of silence, and educational events.

• A siren sounds across Israel for two minutes of silence at 10:00 a.m.
• Six torches are lit at Yad Vashem to honor the six million murdered Jews.
• Public entertainment venues in Israel close for the day.
• Jewish communities worldwide hold memorial services and educational events.
• The March of the Living takes place from Auschwitz to Birkenau in Poland.

What it is

Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day, is a solemn national memorial day in Israel dedicated to the memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and to the courage of those who resisted. The day holds deep significance for Jewish communities, serving as a time for collective mourning, reflection, and the affirmation of resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. In Israel, it is a day when the entire country pauses to remember, and Jewish communities around the world join in observance, ensuring that the stories and lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten.

Where it comes from

The first Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel was held in 1949 on the Tenth of Tevet, a traditional day of mourning, following a decision by the Chief Rabbinate. Over the next few years, the Knesset debated the most appropriate date, considering several options connected to Holocaust events and Jewish history. In 1951, the 27th of Nisan was chosen, positioned between Passover and Israel Independence Day. The observance was formally established by law in 1959, mandating ceremonies, moments of silence, and the closure of public entertainment venues to honor both the victims and the acts of heroism during the Holocaust.

How it is celebrated

Yom HaShoah begins at sundown with a national ceremony at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, where the Israeli flag is lowered to half-mast and six torches are lit by Holocaust survivors, symbolizing the six million lives lost. Throughout Israel, public places of entertainment close, and television and radio focus on Holocaust-related programming. At 10:00 a.m., a siren sounds across the country for two minutes, during which daily life comes to a halt as people stand in silence, even stopping their cars on highways. Schools, military bases, and community organizations hold ceremonies and educational events. In Jewish communities abroad, commemorations often include memorial services, candle-lighting, the recitation of prayers such as the Mourner’s Kaddish, and readings of victims’ names. Some communities hold the March of the Living, a memorial walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau in Poland.

Joining in

If you visit Israel during Yom HaShoah, expect a deeply reflective atmosphere. The main state ceremony at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem is a focal point, but ceremonies take place in cities and towns across the country. At 10:00 a.m., the country pauses for two minutes of silence, a powerful moment to witness. Many museums, synagogues, and community centers hold public events and educational programs. Visitors are welcome to attend these gatherings, but should dress respectfully and be prepared for a somber, contemplative mood.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Yom HaShoah, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Yom HaShoah on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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