"NEVER FORGET -Flags are lowered by Lancaster High Air Force Junior ROTC at the grave of Maier Ben Himelstaub, a Polish citizen who served in the Royal Air Force. Rabbi David Hoffman is at right." GENE BRECKNER/Valley Press
Posted on 04/16/2007 10:10:45 AM PDT by BenLurkin
LANCASTER[CA] Braving the windy, chilly weather, more than 80 people came to the Lancaster Cemetery on Sunday to remember the Holocaust and the heroism of those who fought against the Nazis, including those who fought in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. "The fact that it is cold and windy and somewhat inclement is not inappropriate," said Rabbi David Hoffman of congregation Beth Knesset Bamidbar in Lancaster. "The people in the Warsaw Ghetto experienced much worse."
Sunday's service of remembrance was held on the Jewish day of Yom HaShoah Ve-Hagevurah, or day for remembrance for the Holocaust and the Heroism.
"We know why we are here: to remember and to help others remember," Hoffman said.
Three Holocaust survivors and numerous veterans attempted to light six candles as a remembrance of the 6 million Jews in the Shoah, which means devastation and is the Hebrew term for the Holocaust.
For each one million, Avrum Harris, president of the Chabad Center for Jewish Enrichment, listed a reason all people should remember the Holocaust.
He also said the Shoah should remind all people that such atrocities could happen again, that Israel must exist and that Jews have a responsibility to their traditions.
"If we do not practice Judaism, if we do not teach and learn Judaism, there will be no Jews left," he said.
Hoffman said the day of remembrance also extends to other genocides and attempted genocides, including the Armenian Genocide and the current crisis in Darfur.
"No race or religion is excluded," Hoffman said. "Holocaust remembrance is in everybody's interest."
Hoffman also spoke of the Jewish resistance movement throughout the Shoah and the current struggle for Israel's survival.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
"NEVER FORGET -Flags are lowered by Lancaster High Air Force Junior ROTC at the grave of Maier Ben Himelstaub, a Polish citizen who served in the Royal Air Force. Rabbi David Hoffman is at right." GENE BRECKNER/Valley Press
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