Over its long history the Jewish people have enjoyed great periods of
flourishing, such as the Golden Age of Spain in the 14th century. We
have also suffered terrible times of persecution, like the period of
pogroms in 19th century Russia. In the 20th century these themes
coincided, perhaps more powerfully than in all preceding generations,
with the calamity of the Holocaust and the rebuilding of the modern
state of Israel. We pay tribute to these major events of our lifetime
with special study programs and commemorations.
Yom Hashoah / Holocaust Memorial
Yom
HaShoah, or "Holocaust Remembrance Day," honors the memory of the
approximately six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. This
observance was established in Israel in 1959. It was originally
proposed to be on the 15th of Nisan, the anniversary of the Warsaw
Uprising, but there was objection to this because it was also the first
day of Passover. Instead, the 27th of Nisan was chosen and the
observance now comes one week before Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli
Independence Day. In Israel, at 10:00 a.m., air-raid sirens sound for
two minutes throughout the country. All transportation comes to a
standstill during this period, and people stop their activities to
stand silently.
As a community, we gather for our own Holocaust Memorial
Service and program on the Shabbat closest to Yom HaShoah. We begin
with a candle lighting ceremony that recalls the memory of those who
died in the Holocaust. We remember the Jewish people who died in the
death camps as well as the ghetto fighters, righteous gentiles, and
allied forces who gave their lives while resisting the Nazis. We recall
as well the millions of non-Jews, especially Gypsies and homosexuals,
who met the same fate as the Jews. This service is followed by a talk,
usually given by a guest speaker, which honors the occasion.
Our Yom HaShoah memorial is scheduled for Friday, April 9, 2010. Please scroll down for more information.
Yom Haatzmaut / Israel Independence Day
Yom
HaAtzmaut, or Israeli Independence Day, marks the establishment of the
modern state of Israel in 1948. It is observed on the 5th of Iyyar,
which generally falls in April.
Our members hold a wide range of
connections to and feelings about Israel. Some have family in Israel
and may have spent considerable time there, whether attending school or
even living there. While some have visited briefly, many others have
not.
As a congregation we are fairly unified in a belief that
a two-state solution is the only path to peace, but we are undoubtedly
divided as to the exact route to that goal. Some think it is acceptable
to criticize Israel for some of its actions and do so vociferously.
Others feel that it is inappropriate to do so. The outcome of this mix
is that programs on Israel-related topics are not always easy and
sometimes are a source of tension and conflict. Nonetheless, we
continue to hold these discussions from time to time in the hope that
all voices can be heard respectfully and that we can all gain from the
exchange of ideas.
Friday, April 9, 2010 / Yom HaShoa - Holocaust Memorial
40 E. 35th Street, between Park and Madison Ave. (Community Church of New York) 7:30pm
The City Congregation is pleased to be co-sponsoring this event with The Generation After / Holocaust Survivors USA.
The program will include:
Memorial Candlelighting Ceremony
Dr. Arthur
Flug Executive Director of the Harriet & Kenneth
Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives at Queensborough Community College
"How Do We Teach the Holocaust to Non-Jews"
Songs of the Holocaust Performed by the TCC Chorus