Festivals commemorate significant moments in every religion鈥檚 calendar. Many Jewish festivals focus on remembering God鈥檚 saving power and that good overcomes evil.
Yom Hashoah is a time when Jews observe the tragedy of the HolocaustThe killing of 6 million Jews and other minorities by the Nazis during World War Two. . The Holocaust refers to a time during World War II when 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis as a result of their beliefs. Yom Hashoah is also known as Holocaust Memorial Day.
Yom Hashoah is commemorated by Jewish communities all over the world. They take part in rituals to remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and to ensure that no similar atrocity happens again.
Rituals on this day include:
a silence observed at 11:00
the lighting of a candle in Jewish homes
occasional fasting
The name Yom Hashoah comes from the Hebrew word 'shoah', which means 'whirlwind'.