A unique Holocaust commemoration in Sydney
Members of the community are invited to come together remotely tomorrow (Monday) at 7 pm to view the Yom Hashoah commemoration on the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies website – www.nswjbd.org.
In ordinary times, the Board of Deputies co-hosts three major events, collectively attended by over 1500 members of the community and including MPs, diplomats, councillors, NGO leaders and representatives of other faith and cultural groups. As the physical distancing restrictions made mandatory because of the coronavirus have made that impossible this year, the Board of Deputies has arranged the virtual participation option.
“Streaming the Yom Hashoah commemoration allows us to maintain our decades-long tradition of coming together as a community, albeit virtually, to remember those who perished in the Holocaust and honour the survivors,” said Board of Deputies President Lesli Berger. “Australia has one of the largest numbers of Holocaust survivors in the world, although sadly, many have passed on. It is increasingly important to reflect – even within our homes – on the magnitude of what occurred, to acknowledge the resilience of our survivors and to highlight that the Holocaust is where racial hatred can lead.”
The 30-minute commemoration will include a brief keynote address by journalist Fiona Harari, author of ‘We Are Here: Stories from Australia’s Oldest Holocaust Survivors’, who will share what she learned from interviewing Holocaust survivors in Sydney and Melbourne for her book; as well as remarks by Board of Deputies president Lesli Berger, CEO Vic Alhadeff and Shoah Remembrance Chair Danny Hochberg.
Candle-lighting will form part of the ceremony, and viewers will be encouraged to participate at home by lighting their own candle. The Kaddish will be recited by Cantor Zvi Teichtal.
The Yom Hashoah commemoration can be viewed on the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies website on Monday April 20 at 7 pm on www.nswjbd.org. It will remain on the Board of Deputies website and so will also be accessible at any time after that.
