Mitch Braff, JPEF Executive Director
Holocaust Remembrance Day, often known as Yom HaShoah, is a time when we all reflect upon the atrocities and losses which occurred during the Holocaust. The intent of this day, established by the Israeli Knesset in 1951 (and declared a public holiday in 1959), was to recognize both the devastation and the heroism. Its complete name in Hebrew is Yom HaShoah v’HaGevurah – Gevurah meaning heroism or courage, and Shoah referring to the Holocaust.
JPEF encourages using the full name for this commemoration, as do many communities across the United States. The specific date was chosen to coincide with the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, so resistance was always to be intertwined with this day.
We have developed a short two page guide on putting the Gevurah back into Yom HaShoah. I encourage you to download it from our website.
I hope that everyone has a meaningful Yom HaShoah v'HaGevurah this May 1st or any time during the Days of Remembrance (May 1-8) when it is commonly acknowledged among schools and communities throughout the United States.
-Mitch Braff
Founder & Executive Director
Resources:
- "Putting the Gevurah Back Into Yom HaShaoh" and "Who Are the Jewish Partisans?" - www.jewishpartisans.org/resist
- Knesset Holocaust Memorial web page, including scan of original 1959 Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day Law - www.knesset.gov.il/shoah/eng/eshoah.htm
- Day of Remembrance 2011 (USHMM - includes materials for educators and community ceremonies) - www.ushmm.org/remembrance/dor
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