Yom HaShoah: When and how Jewish people observe the Holocaust remembrance day

Yom HaShoah, the Jewish Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a day to observe in the memory of six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust. 'Yom HaShoah' is a Hebrew term, whereas it is popularly known as Holocaust Remembrance Day or Holocaust Day in English.

Many people often confuse the day with Holocaust Memorial Day, which is usually held on January 27, whereas Holocaust Remembrance Day takes place in April.

Here is everything you should know about this Jewish memorial day -


What is Yom HaShoah?

The name 'Yom HaShoah' is derived from the Hebrew word 'shoah'. It means 'whirlwind'. On this memorial day, Jews commemorate the six million Jewish people who were killed in the Holocaust between 1933 and 1945.

The name comes from the Hebrew word 'shoah', which means 'whirlwind'.

Adhering to the date in the Hebrew calendar, the first official commemoration was held in 1951.

When is Yom HaShoah held?

Every year, Yom HaShoah occurs on April 27 because it follows the Hebrew calendar, which naturally differs from the standard Gregorian calendar. So, the Hebrew calendar suggests the 27th of Nisan as the first month.

Above all, if there is any clash of dates between the Yom HaShoah and the Jewish Sabbath, the former's date is adjusted accordingly.

This year, Yom HaShoah accordingly starts at sunset time on Wednesday, April 27 and ends on Thursday evening, April 28.

How is Yom HaShoah observed?

Since Yom HaShoah is held in the memory of those who were killed in the Holocaust, several memorial services are held all over the world at sundown. The main memorial event begins at sunset in Warsaw Ghetto Square in Israel.

Jewish people light six candles or torches in the memory of six million victims while the national flag is lowered to half-mast during the ceremony.