Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Yom HaShoa: Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony Held at Aloha Jewish Chapel

    Yom HaShoa: Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony held at Aloha Jewish Chapel

    Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner | 170424-N-WC566-0014 PEARL HARBOR (April 24, 2017) Chief Jones lights the six Yartzeit...... read more read more

    The Joint Force Diversity Committee hosted a Holocaust Remembrance ceremony at the Aloha Jewish Chapel on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), to observe Holocaust Remembrance Day or as it is known colloquially in Israel and abroad, Yom HaShoah, on April 24.
    Yom HaShoah, is observed as a day of commemoration for the millions of people who died in the Holocaust. Dr. Daniel Bender, volunteer lay leader at the Aloha Jewish Chapel on JBPHH, was the guest speaker for the ceremony.
    “Yom HaShoah provides the entire world an opportunity to recognize the valor and bravery of both Jews and Christians who struggled against the NAZIs during World War II,” said Bender. “Most important are the six Yartzeit candles that remind us of the 6 million Jews who perished in the many extermination camps. We remember both the loss of 6 million Jews and the 5 million others who perished at the hands of the Nazis.”

    The internationally recognized date for Holocaust Remembrance Day corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar. This date corresponds with the April 24, 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in Nazi German-occupied Poland.
    “We time our Holocaust remembrance to coincide with the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and its proximity to the date of Passover, which ties in nicely with our story of the Jewish Exodus and liberation,” said CTI1 J. C. Allen, designated Jewish lay leader and congregational leader of Aloha Jewish Chapel.
    The theme of this year’s remembrance was “The Strength of the Human Spirit”, which focused on the courageous acts carried out by Jewish and non-Jewish people alike during this tumultuous time in history. Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeremy Harborth, President of the Joint Force Diversity Committee on JBPHH described his interpretation of how this year’s theme “The Strength of the human Spirit”, relates to Navy’s values of strength and courage through adversity.
    “However many times we might fall, the human spirit gives us the strength to get back up and try again. Inevitably, persistence begets progress,” said Harborth. I think it will inspire those to show why we are still committed to excellence and to the fair treatment of all.”
    During the ceremony, tales of heroism in the face of dangerous opposition were recounted. One story focused on a man named Witold Pilecki, who willingly spent two and a half years in Auschwitz as a secret agent of a resistance group. Another was of Dr. Eugene Lazowski, who was a little known guardian of more than 8,000 people and frequently risked death to help his Jewish members while working for the Polish Red Cross.
    “This year we spoke about the more heroic piece, as opposed to just focusing on the victims and the sorrow,” said Allen. “There were so many stories of heroics during the Holocaust.”
    Bender explained the significance of the observing the Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony to the U.S. Military.
    “This ceremony is important to our military community because it reminds us that such an event as the Holocaust will never occur in the US as long as we remember those who perished, and those non-Jews who risked their lives to save their Jewish neighbors,” said Bender. “By retelling these stories, we encourage our citizens to create a tolerant environment for all of our society.”
    Harborth stressed the value of upholding military principles, and how this event and others like it, relates to Navy core values.
    “It’s important for us to remember why as sailors we say ‘Those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world’ and it’s true meaning, especially to recognize the patterns of maltreatment in the world and to stand up and fight again for those in turmoil just like our predecessors,” said Harborth.
    The service concluded with Q&A session with the guests, during which Bender and Allen exhibited a hand written Torah scroll made for the Aloha Jewish Chapel.
    “We believe that in remembering the past, we find guidance for the future,” said Bender. “Services of tribute for those who have risked their lives to save others inspire us to perform our duties better and aspire to be the best people we can. At this time, as in other periods of history, it is most important that we work together to improve our country and the entire world.”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.24.2017
    Date Posted: 04.27.2017 16:09
    Story ID: 231674
    Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US

    Web Views: 72
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN