Yom HaShoah in United States
Quick Facts
Many people in the United States observe Yom Hashoah by remembering Holocaust victims who died during World War II.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Yom HaShoah | English |
| Yom HaShoah | Spanish |
Yom HaShoah 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010Yom HaShoah 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.
See list of observations below
Holocaust victims from World War II are remembered on Yom Hashoah. ©iStockphoto.com/stephen mulcahey
What do people do?
Many people in the United States, including those with Jewish ancestry or connections, observe Yom Hashoah on the 27th day of the month of Nisan. Many Jewish communities hold commemorative ceremonies or events to remember Holocaust victims who died during World War II. Activities may include lighting memorial candles and reciting the Kaddish, which is a prayer for the departed.
The Masorti (Conservative Judaism) movement in Israel created Megillat HaShoah, a scroll and liturgical reading for Yom HaShoah. This is a joint effort between Jewish leaders in Israel, the United States and Canada. Rituals associated with Yom Hashoah are still being made and suggested. These rituals vary among synagogues in North America.
Educational programs about the historical events associated with Yom Hashoah are shown around this time of the year, particularly to students learning about Jewish history. These programs may include a documentary featuring Holocaust survivors’ stories, as well as a Holocaust-themed film.
Public life
Yom Hashoah is not a federal public holiday in the United States.
Background
Israel’s Knesset (parliament) established Yom Hashoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, as a memorial to about six million Jewish people who were slaughtered by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. It is observed on the 27th day of the month of Nisan, which marks the day when Allied troops liberated the first Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald, Germany, in 1945. The full name of the day is Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah, which means the "Day of (remembrance of) the Holocaust and the Heroism".
About Yom HaShoah in other countries
Read more about Yom HaShoah.Yom HaShoah Observances
Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Apr 13 | 1980 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | May 1 | 1981 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 20 | 1982 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 10 | 1983 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 29 | 1984 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 18 | 1985 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 6 | 1986 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 26 | 1987 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 14 | 1988 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 2 | 1989 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 22 | 1990 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 11 | 1991 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 30 | 1992 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 18 | 1993 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Apr 8 | 1994 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 27 | 1995 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 16 | 1996 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | May 4 | 1997 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 23 | 1998 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 13 | 1999 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 2 | 2000 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Apr 20 | 2001 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 9 | 2002 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 29 | 2003 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 18 | 2004 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | May 6 | 2005 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 25 | 2006 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 15 | 2007 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | May 2 | 2008 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 21 | 2009 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 11 | 2010 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | May 1 | 2011 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 19 | 2012 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 7 | 2013 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 27 | 2014 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 16 | 2015 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday |
Other holidays in April 2010 in United States
- Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 1, 2010)
- Pascua Florida Day (Friday, April 2, 2010)
- Orthodox Good Friday (Friday, April 2, 2010)
- World Autism Awareness Day (Friday, April 2, 2010)
- Good Friday (Friday, April 2, 2010)
- Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 3, 2010)
- Orthodox Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 3, 2010)
- United Nations' Mine Awareness Day (Sunday, April 4, 2010)
- Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 4, 2010)
- Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 4, 2010)
- Easter Monday (Monday, April 5, 2010)
- Orthodox Easter Monday (Monday, April 5, 2010)
- Last day of Passover (Tuesday, April 6, 2010)
- United Nations' World Health Day (Wednesday, April 7, 2010)
- Tax Day (Thursday, April 15, 2010)
- Father Damien Day (Thursday, April 15, 2010)
- Emancipation Day (Friday, April 16, 2010)
- Patriot's Day (Monday, April 19, 2010)
- Yom HaAtzmaut (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)
- San Jacinto Day (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)
- Administrative Professionals Day (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)
- Oklahoma Day (Thursday, April 22, 2010)
- Earth Day (Thursday, April 22, 2010)
- World Book and Copyright Day (Friday, April 23, 2010)
- Confederate Memorial Day (Monday, April 26, 2010)
- Arbor Day (Friday, April 30, 2010)
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