Beth Israel Congregation holds annual Holocaust Remembrance Event

SALISBURY, Md- The Beth Israel Congregation held its annual Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day event, paying tribute to the lives lost and vowing to not let history repeat itself.

The event featured a proclamation from Salisbury Mayor Jack Heath declaring the day and week as a time of Holocaust Remembrance in Salisbury, as well as a candle-lighting ceremony for the 6 million Jews, 5 million non-Jewish victims, and allied soldiers and citizens who died during the course of the liberation.

“I want them to remember to care for each other- that the holocaust really happened, and that we need to be watching out for each other and to continue to care for each other, the theme is to remember the past confront the present and have hope for the future,” said Rabbi Ruth Smith.

Smith tells 47ABC the day had further weight in the context of rising anti-Semitic rhetoric and attacks across the US.

She tells she believes keeping the memory, not only honors the sacrifice and the lives of those lost but can help to combat hate with education.