Yom Hashoah/Holocaust Memorial Day falls on the 27th of Nisan, mid way between the anniversary of the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and Yom Ha'atzmaut. This year, the 27th of Nisan falls on Sunday, May 1st. There will be memorial services on that day. However, whenever the 27th falls on a Sunday, in Israel, Yom Hashoah is officially moved to the Monday. We will therefore follow Israel’s example and the Public Commemoration Service, including the Proclamation of Yom Hashoah/Holocaust Memorial Day by the Premier, will occur on Monday, May 2nd.
 
The Annual Holocaust Memorial Service and street-naming ceremony will begin Holocaust Awareness Week at Congregation Etz Chayim, 123 Matheson Ave. E., on Sunday, May 1, at 11:00. It will be followed, in the evening, by Shaarey Zedek Synagogue’s “Megillat Hashoah”. Until very recently, there has been no ritualization of the observance of Holocaust Memorial Day. However, Shaarey Zedek has developed a beautiful liturgical service, during which the special “Scroll of the Holocaust” or “Megilllat Hashoah” will be read. 

Monday, May 2nd, marks the official Holocaust Memorial Day/Yom Hashoah. In the morning, the names of the victims of the Holocaust whose families live in Manitoba be read during  B’nai Brith’s annual “Unto Every Person There is a Name” program. At 12:00 noon, Monday, May 2nd, Premier Greg Selinger will read the Proclamation of Yom Hashoah of the Province of Manitoba during the Annual Public Commemorative Service at the Holocaust Monument on the grounds of the legislature. His worship Mayor Sam Katz, himself the child of Holocaust survivors will give an address. Children from various schools, choirs, clergy and leaders of the Jewish community and various dignitaries will take also part in this very important and moving hour-long ceremony. 

In the evening, United Jewish People’s Order and Sholem Aleichem Community will offer a program including “Music from the Ghettos” featuring Jane Enkin and the North End Jewish Folk Choir at the Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue.  The week of programs continues with a special program for seniors offered by the Rady Jewish Community Centre’s Stay Young Club on Tuesday, May 3 at 11:15, a special program for young leaders in the Machon Madrichim program on Wednesday, May 4, the annual Holocaust survivors’ Drop-In Program offered by Jewish Child and Family Service on Thursday, May 5 at the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre.

On Thursday, May 5, there will also be a very special evening program honouring Holocaust survivors and the “righteous among the nations”, those courageous individuals who, despite grave danger, rescued and provided haven for Jews during the Holocaust. Hosted by The Rev. Dr. James Christie, Survivors and Heroes, is presented by the Holocaust Education Centre and the Holocaust Awareness Committee of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. It will take place at 7:30 pm at the Berney Theatre, Asper Jewish Community Campus, 123 Doncaster Street.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Shelley Faintuch
Community Relations Director
Jewish Federation of Winnipeg
204.477.7423
 [email protected]