In the wake of Oct. 7, and the current surge in antisemitic situtions on American college campuses, this Sunday’s solemn marking of Yom HaShoah has never been more important.

Under the theme “Never Again is Now,” Congregation Shaare Emeth will host the 2024 Yom HaShoah Holocaust remembrance ceremony beginning at 3 p.m. in partnership with the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. The commemoration aims to not only honor the victims but also to underscore the imperative of vigilance against hatred and prejudice in all its forms.

“Together, we will honor the victims and survivors through testimony, music, and a community candle-lighting ceremony,” said Myron Freedman, the museum’s executive director. “May the commemoration be a source of reflection, remembrance, and renewed commitment to building a more just world.”

The program will feature poignant elements such as a Candle Lighting Ceremony where local survivors and descendants of the Holocaust, alongside community leaders, will symbolically light candles to represent the millions of lives lost. Testimony from Holocaust survivors and their descendants will provide firsthand narratives of resilience and hope, offering insight into the human spirit’s capacity for survival and perseverance.

Prayers and musical tributes will offer moments of solace and reflection as attendees unite in remembrance and solidarity. The community reception following the program will provide an opportunity for attendees to connect and reaffirm their commitment to combatting antisemitism and intolerance.

Yom HaShoah Holocaust Commemoration 2024: Never Again is Now