Jewish Community Holocaust Remembrance Day
On Monday [May 6] the Jewish Community of Bermuda came together in a moving and poignant ceremony to mark Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
A spokesperson said, “The event, held at the Jewish Community of Bermuda Centre, served as a powerful tribute to the six million Jewish lives lost during one of the darkest periods in history.
“Members of the community were joined by U.S. Consul General Karen Grissette, who read a note from the U.S. Secretary of State. The note underscored the importance of never forgetting the atrocities of the Holocaust and the imperative of standing against hatred and intolerance in all its forms. Candles were lit, and vows of “Never Again” were recited, a testament to the unwavering commitment to honor the memory of the Holocaust victims and make sure such evil does not make its stain on history again.
“This year, the ceremony was led by special guest speaker, Dr. Tuvia Book, a global Jewish educator with a wealth of knowledge and experience in Holocaust studies and remembrance. He resides in Israel and has been a tour guide there for many years, as well as serving as medic in the Israeli Defense Forces. He presented a powerful and emotional program of remembrance, recognizing heroic figures such as Dr Janusz Korczak and Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton.
“Tuvia invited young members of the community to read poignant passages and prayers throughout the ceremony, including 11-year-old member Ava Bernstein. She read an excerpt from Anne Frank’s diary, which was an especially moving moment as Anne Frank was likely the same age as the young community member when she wrote this passage, before being murdered at the age of 16.”
“As Dr. Book acknowledged, it is hard to not get lost in the numbers when discussing the Holocaust; six million Jews of which one and a half million were children, and millions others who were also killed just for being different. But his program illuminated the humanity behind those numbers. “To forget those that perished is like killing them a second time,” he remarked. “We must Never Forget.”
Fiona Elkinson, President of the Community states, “It’s important each year that we gather together to remember, honor, and ensure that the stories of the Holocaust live on in our hearts and minds.”
The spokesperson said, “The Jewish Community of Bermuda extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who attended the Yom Hashoah ceremony, and reaffirms its commitment to promoting tolerance, understanding, and peace within the community and beyond.
“For more information about the Jewish Community of Bermuda and upcoming events, please visit http://jewishbermuda.com or contact BermudaJewish@gmail.com.”
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