Tomorrow is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. However, you may be wondering why world leaders gathered in Jerusalem a few days ago to commemorate the same event: the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The reason: the Holocaust didn’t end on a specific day, so various dates have emerged for commemoration. In November 2005, the UN designated January 27 (the date Auschwitz was liberated) as the official date of commemoration. (Ironically, Israel’s national commemoration is usually in May.)
Each year, Christian Friends of Yad Vashem makes available a recording of the commemoration service conducted at the Yad Vashem Holocaust and Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, entitled A Nation Remembers. It is edited to a hour and is very moving as you witness how the nation of Israel honors the 6 million+ lost in the Holocaust. Carve out some time today (or perhaps this weekend) to take a peek.
Download the 60-minute program, A Nation Remembers, in either English or Spanish.