Beginning at sundown on April 13 and ending at sundown on April 14, 2026, Israel and Jews worldwide will observe Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. This solemn day, which falls on the 27th of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar each year, honors the memory of the six million Jewish men, women, and children brutally murdered during the Holocaust. Yom HaShoah translates to Holocaust Remembrance Day in Hebrew.
Throughout Israel, life comes to a halt for two minutes at 10 a.m., when air raid sirens sound across the nation. People stop wherever they are, whether on foot, at work, or in their cars—standing in reflective silence to remember those lost. Flags are flown at half-mast, and communities gather for memorial ceremonies, where Holocaust survivors share their stories, and participants light six candles—one for each million Jewish lives taken.
Yom HaShoah is more than just a day of remembrance—it’s a call to ensure that we never forget and that never again will such atrocities be allowed to happen. This day is also a reminder of the importance of supporting Holocaust survivors still living among us, many of whom face challenges in their later years.
‘Never Again!’
“Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of children, whose bodies I saw turned to wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never.” Elie Wiesel, Night, (New York: Hill & Wang, 1960), p.p. 43–44.
It has been more than 80 years since the Holocaust. For some, the events remain real and ever-present. For others, the Holocaust seems like ancient history. But, since those horrific events, the Jewish people have adopted a motto: Never Again!
Never again will they allow such a catastrophe to occur. From the ashes of Auschwitz, Treblinka, Dachau, Belzek, and other Nazi death camps, the Jewish people have vowed to live. As Fellowship Founder Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein wrote in his book, How Firm a Foundation, “Like the psalmist long ago, Jews today collectively declare, ‘I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done’” (Psalm 118:17).
How is Yom HaShoah Different from International Holocaust Remembrance Day?
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed globally on January 27. This was the day in 1945 when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated. Compared to Yom HaShoah, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a much newer observance, with the first one being declared and observed in 2005 by the United Nations.
During the day, commemorations and speeches are held in major cities all over the world including in Israel. In Germany, Auschwitz survivors return to the grounds of the camp to observe a sacred ceremony of remembrance. Every country has their own way of observing, many of them inspired by how Yom HaShoah is observed in Israel. But the messages of remembrance and “never again” remain the same.
The Origin of Yom HaShoah
Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day was inaugurated in 1951 as a day to memorialize the six million Jews murdered during the Nazi reign of terror. The original proposal called for Yom HaShoah to be held on the fourteenth day of Nisan on the Jewish calendar, the anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising (April 19, 1943).
This was problematic because this is the day immediately before Passover, one of the most important holidays of the Jewish year. After much debate, the date was moved to the 27th of Nisan, which is eight days before Israel Independence Day and a week after Passover.
As befits the event it commemorates, Yom HaShoah is a solemn day. Some Jewish people light six candles to represent the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. Survivors of the Holocaust are encouraged to share their stories. Public ceremonies feature people reading the names of some of those murdered in the Holocaust to remember those who died and help others understand the immensity of this horrible event.
In 1961, a law was passed in Israel that requires all public entertainment venues to be closed on Yom HaShoah to maintain the solemnity of the day. At 10 a.m., sirens are sounded throughout the nation and everyone in Israel stops what they are doing for two minutes to stand in silent remembrance.
What is Yom HaShoah in Israel?
The observance begins at sundown, following Jewish tradition, and the next morning at 10 a.m., air raid sirens sound for two minutes across the country. All activity halts—drivers stop their vehicles on highways, pedestrians stand still, and businesses, schools, and offices pause. This moment of silence is a collective act of mourning and unity, a reminder that the memory of the Holocaust is shared by the entire nation.
Ceremonies take place at Yad Vashem – Israel’s Holocaust memorial – military bases, schools, and synagogues. At many of these ceremonies, six symbolic torches are lit to represent the six million Jews who perished. Another important tradition is “Unto Every Person There Is a Name,” where participants read aloud the names of individual victims, ensuring they are remembered not just as a statistic but as people with unique identities and lives. Holocaust survivor stories are told, passing on their experiences to ensure future generations never forget.
The day also commemorates acts of heroism, including the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Prayers such as the Kaddish, recited for the dead, and El Maleh Rachamim, a memorial prayer for the souls of the victims, are integral to many of these ceremonies.
Throughout the day, Israeli television and radio stations broadcast documentaries, Holocaust survivor stories, and programs about the Holocaust. Public entertainment venues remain closed to maintain the solemn tone. Flags are flown at half-mast across the country, further marking the weight of the day.
Yom HaShoah concludes at sundown, but its message resonates far beyond. It is not just a call to remember but a warning to confront anti-Semitism and hatred in all forms. By observing this day, Israelis reaffirm their commitment to honor the legacy of those lost and ensure that the phrase “never again” becomes a reality for future generations.
Explore our TV show episodes featuring powerful survivor stories and interviews with those whose lives were shaped by the Holocaust. Watch now to discover personal accounts of resilience, remembrance, and the enduring lessons of Yom HaShoah.
How to Observe Yom HaShoah
Yom HaShoah offers an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to honor the memory of the Jews murdered during the Holocaust. Participating as a non-Jew is an act of solidarity and reflection, ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust endure for future generations. Here are meaningful ways to engage:
Observe the Moment of Silence
Wherever you are, join the people of Israel at 10 a.m. local time by pausing for two minutes of silence. This aligns with the national moment of reflection observed throughout Israel and is a powerful way to honor the memory of Holocaust victims.
Light a Candle in Remembrance
Lighting a candle is a personal way to reflect on the six million lives lost. This can be done privately at home, in a local synagogue, or as part of a larger ceremony.
Support Holocaust Survivors
Many Holocaust survivors face challenges in their later years. Consider donating to The Fellowship and other organizations dedicated to their care.
Participate in “Unto Every Person There Is a Name”
Join the tradition of reading aloud the names of Holocaust victims at community events or privately. This act ensures each person is remembered as an individual with a name and story, not just a statistic.
Share the Message on Social Media
Raise awareness by sharing survivor stories, reflections, or quotes on social media. Use hashtags like #YomHaShoah, #NeverAgain, #NeverForget, and #HolocaustRemembrance to amplify the message of remembrance.
Take our quiz on what is Yom HaShoah and how it is observed today.
