Holocaust Remembrance Day 2011
A call to “never forget”
Hillel House, the center for Jewish life at Boston University, has organized a daylong reading of Holocaust victims’ names and a candle-lighting ceremony today, May 2, to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day.
To ensure that Americans never forget the Holocaust, in 1980 Congress established an annual commemoration, the National Days of Remembrance. This year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day will be observed with a national service in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and ceremonies around the country.
“There are many educated people at Boston University,” says Tova Ramelson (CAS’14), vice president of culture and education at Hillel. “It’s important for us to remember as educated people who can impact the future.”
Approximately six million Jews—nearly two out every three in Europe—died at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust. The persecution began when Hitler became chancellor of Germany in 1933 and lasted until American and Russian troops liberated the concentration camps and the war in Europe ended in May 1945.
9:30 a.m.
Reading of the Names
Professors and students will gather to read names of those who perished in the Holocaust throughout the day at Marsh Plaza, 735 Commonwealth Ave. If you would like to participate in this reading, sign up here.
7 p.m.
Candle-lighting Ceremony Commemorating Holocaust Victims
“We encourage people to listen to the names and light candles on their own,” says Ramelson. “No matter how old you are or what your profession, you’re remembering it, and that’s what makes it so powerful.” The ceremony is being held at Marsh Plaza.
Grace Ko can be reached at graceko@bu.edu.
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