Today has been International Holocaust Remembrance Day. There is also another day that is known as Holocaust Remembrance Day that is remembered later in the year. This can be a bit confusing and I have actually had to correct a few of my old posts as I better understand this.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Day was established by the United Nations in 2005. This day is observed around the world but with various levels of government sanction in each country.

I took some time today to remember my trips to visit Buchenwald and also several holocaust memorials in Germany and Israel.

In Israel the remembrance of the Holocaust is Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day and is observed on the 27th day of Nissan. This means that it does not have a fixed day on our calendar.

This year Yom HaShoah will be observed on April 11. Yom HaShoah was first observed in 1951 and was established by law in 1959 as Yom Hazikaron laShoah ve-laG’vurah or Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day.

Yom HaShoa is observed around the world wherever there are Jewish communities so is also an International remembrance.

I hope and pray that we have learned from our past so that it will not be repeated.

Steven