Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a solemn day dedicated to remembering the six million Jews and countless others who perished during the Holocaust.
In 2025, Yom HaShoah will be observed from sundown on Wednesday, April 23 to nightfall on Thursday, April 24, aligning with the 27th of Nissan in the Hebrew calendar.

First established by the Israeli Knesset in 1951, Yom HaShoah has become a global day of remembrance and reflection, deeply observed across the United States through ceremonies, survivor testimonies, and educational programs.

Key Dates & Observances for Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) - California Teachers Association

  • Main Observance:
    April 23–24, 2025 (from sundown to sundown).

  • Days of Remembrance (USA):
    April 20–27, 2025 — a full week of Holocaust education and national commemorations.

  • Yad Vashem State Ceremony (Israel):
    April 23, 2025 | 8:00 PM Israel Time (1:00 PM U.S. EDT).

  • National Siren in Israel:
    April 24, 2025 | 10:00 AM local time.

Yom HaShoah: A Brief History

BLOG: A once-in-a-generation moment: Why we must stand together this Yom HaShoah

As highlighted by My Jewish Learning, Yom HaShoah was formally established in 1951 to commemorate both the tragedy of the Holocaust and the heroism of the Jewish resistance, notably the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The name, Yom HaShoah Ve-Hagevurah ("Day of Holocaust and Heroism"), reflects this dual focus on mourning and courage.

How Yom HaShoah is Observed in the United States

In the United States, Holocaust Remembrance Day is commemorated with solemn ceremonies and educational initiatives:

  • National Ceremonies:
    The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) organizes the annual Days of Remembrance Ceremony in Washington, D.C., attended by survivors, public officials, and community leaders.

  • Community Events:
    Jewish Federations, synagogues, museums, and civic organizations host candle-lighting ceremonies, survivor talks, and memorial readings.

  • Educational Programs:
    Schools and universities incorporate Holocaust studies into their curricula, promoting awareness about the dangers of hatred and bigotry.

  • Government Proclamations:
    Public officials across the country issue proclamations honoring Holocaust victims and survivors.

Notable Yom HaShoah 2025 Events

  • Florida Holocaust Museum (St. Petersburg, FL):
    April 24, 2025 | Candle Lighting Ceremony at 4:30 PM.

  • Virginia Holocaust Museum (Richmond, VA):
    April 27, 2025 | Holocaust Memorial Program, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM.

  • Toronto Holocaust Museum (Toronto, Canada):
    April 23, 2025 | Community Commemoration Event, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM.

  • Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (Vancouver, BC):
    April 23, 2025 | Annual Yom HaShoah Commemoration, 7:00 PM.

The Power of Remembrance: Why Yom HaShoah Matters

Preserving Holocaust Survivor Testimonies

As emphasized by the Azrieli Foundation, survivor testimonies play a critical role in personalizing the history of the Holocaust.
These memoirs, oral histories, and accounts ensure that the human dimension of the Holocaust is preserved for future generations.

Memory as a Moral Imperative

Memory acts as a bulwark against Holocaust denial, distortion, and forgetfulness.
By remembering, we preserve truth, honor the victims, and ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to guide future generations toward justice and humanity.

Ceremonies and Rituals of Holocaust Remembrance Day

  • Candle Lighting:
    Six candles are lit in memory of the six million Jewish victims.

  • Reading the Names:
    Volunteers and students often read the names of victims aloud during ceremonies.

  • Moments of Silence:
    Observed at memorials, schools, and public events.

  • Kaddish and Mourning Prayers:
    Traditional Jewish prayers for the deceased are recited.

  • Poetry, Music, and Testimonies:
    Artistic expressions of mourning and survival often accompany commemorative events.

In Israel, a national siren at 10:00 AM on April 24 will signal two minutes of complete silence, where even vehicles stop on highways.

"Never Again" — A Call to Action for 2025

The Holocaust teaches that hatred, when left unchecked, can lead to unimaginable atrocities.
Yom HaShoah 2025 is a reminder that "Never Again" is not merely a phrase, but a profound responsibility to confront antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hatred wherever they arise.

Additional Resources

Conclusion: Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future

As the United States and the world observe Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025, we engage in an essential act of collective memory.
By listening to survivors, lighting candles, reflecting in silence, and teaching new generations, we honor those lost and renew our pledge to build a world where dignity, tolerance, and justice prevail.

This Yom HaShoah, let us reaffirm our shared humanity and commit to ensuring that the words "Never Again" endure as a living truth.