Local temple observes Holocaust Remembrance Day with service
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — In observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Temple B’nai Sholom in Huntsville held a Sunday service to commemorate the millions of Jewish people who perished at the hands of the Nazis during World War II.
May 5th is recognized as Yom Hashoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time for the Jewish community and beyond to remember those who lost their lives and those who were impacted.
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“As the years go by fewer Holocaust survivors remain and in order for us to ensure that this very tragic and horrific event was not an afterthought, we need to continue to come together,” said Temple B’nai Sholom’s Rabbi Pj Schwartz.
Rabbi Schwartz says the tragedy rocked the Jewish community and explained how remembering the victims plays a significant role in raising awareness.
“We’re coming to realize that education is the key to ensure that we can combat antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred,” Schwartz told News 19. “I think it begins not just at the schools but it begins at the home.”
Dozens from the community gathered at the synagogue in prayer standing in solidarity with the many who’ve been affected by the Holocaust. For people like Frank Levy remembering the event is important, especially when it comes to standing up against similar instances across the globe.
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“My fear and I think the fear of the Jewish community is that it will be forgotten, it’ll become just another historical event it’ll get celebrated as opposed to observed,” Levy said. “There are holocausts that go on all the time and it is our responsibility to see that they stop.”
In the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, some say this commemoration is particularly significant. Some believe as antisemitism rises, it’s not only important to honor the past, but also to demonstrate unity against hate.
Rabbi Schwartz explained how seeing the community come together on a day as such is a huge deal and many around the world are collectively working to prevent a tragedy like the Holocaust from happening again.
“I think that what is special and what is unique and what stands out to me is the desire to be there for each other where I think there’s a window of opportunity to be educated on what we’re truly standing for and standing up against,” Schwartz said.
Rabbi Schwartz says it’s important for everyone to come together to stand up against hate across the world.
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