Jewish and Israeli Holidays
“The first lesson of the Holocaust is: If we do not defend ourselves, nobody will defend us,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Unfortunately, especially this year, we have so many examples of the exponential rise of antisemitism,” said the president of Oporto’s Jewish community.
The initiative to create and post to social media platforms short videos explaining personal connections with survivors is backed by Hollywood notables.
According to a state representative, more than 20 Jewish houses of worship were threatened over Shabbat.
The U.S. president proclaimed May 5 to May 12 the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust.
The commemorations will begin with the lighting of memorial torches by six survivors of the German Nazi genocide at the official state ceremony in Jerusalem.
Those born in Romania make up the largest group in the Jewish state, 39%.
“We celebrate the immeasurable impact of Jewish values, contributions and culture on our nation’s character,” the president said.
Trained docents will provide critical context and frame the presentation.
“They should now be dug out—and not only preserved and put on display but thoroughly examined by experts to find out who owned them,” said Grzegorz Kwiatkowski.
Dennis Francis called the holiday a “season of rebirth and renewal, the triumph of hope and faith.”
Some 400 family members who lost loved ones during the war gathered in Jerusalem for a seder and other activities.
