NATIONAL YOM HASHOAH CEREMONY
Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG'vurah (Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day), known colloquially in Israel and abroad as Yom HaShoah and in English as Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Holocaust Day, is observed as Israel's day of commemoration for the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust. Inaugurated in 1953, it is a national memorial day and public holiday in Israel, held on the 27th of Nisan (April/May), unless the 27th is adjacent to Shabbat, in which case the date is shifted by one day.
BILL C-459
In 2003, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-459 establishing National Holocaust Memorial Day. From 2003 to 2019, the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem has coordinated an annual Ceremony in collaboration with the Government of Canada. The Ceremony commemorates Jewish victims of the Holocaust and has included a presentation by a survivor, speeches by the leaders of Canada’s major political parties, an address by the Israeli ambassador, musical performances, and a candle lighting ceremony. The keynote was usually given by Canada’s Prime Minister.
The audience was comprised of Supreme Court Judges, Senators, Federal Ministers, Ambassadors and key personnel of Embassies, Members of Parliament, High School Students (attending the Ambassadors of Change program) and members of the public. While keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive, the National Holocaust Remembrance Day Program was designed to teach about the Holocaust and to instill in the audience the values of respect for human rights and tolerance of others.
2022 Program
UJA’s Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre invites you to join us, alongside partner organizations, for an in-person, community-wide Yom HaShoah commemoration.
We are grateful to be able to once again hold this special event at Earl Bales Park, bringing together our entire community to remember the victims of the Shoah, honour the survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to preserving the memories and lessons of the Holocaust.
This important program is presented in partnership with Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, Canadian Society for Yad Vashem, the Azrieli Foundation’s Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program, Facing History and Ourselves, and March of the Living Canada. A virtual streaming option will be available for those who wish to participate online.
2021 PROGRAM
The Neuberger is proud to partner with Jewish communities, Holocaust Institutions and Federations across Canada to commemorate Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. As a nation, we will once again come together virtually, to honour the victims of the Shoah and pay tribute to Canada’s diverse community of Holocaust survivors. The program will include special guests from the east to the west, poignant readings and survivor testimony, providing us with continued strength as Canadians during these unprecedented times.
2020 PROGRAM
In 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an online Cross-Canada Holocaust remembrance presentation was held. With over 19,000 households participating, it marked the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, remembered the victims, and paid tribute to the resilience and faith of the Canadian community of survivors. The host for the event was Toronto-based actor Jake Epstein, known for his work on Degrassi, Designated Survivor, and Suits. Epstein is the son of Kathy Kacer, the award-winning author of The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser and other Holocaust-themed books for young adults. The online program included elements that had been planned for the Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa, including greetings from our Prime Minister and the world premiere of a piece by the Toronto Jewish Chorus. The program also included inspirational survivor testimony, a candle lighting ceremony, and prayers.
The program was presented by the: Canadian Society for Yad Vashem, Azrieli Foundation, March of the Living Canada, and the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre. Organizations from across Canada promoted and participated in the ceremony: Atlantic Jewish Council, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Montreal Holocaust Museum, Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship at Carleton University, Ottawa Jewish Archives, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, Jewish Federation of Edmonton, Calgary Jewish Federation, and Hamilton Jewish Federation.