Yom HaShoah, the Jewish Day of Holocaust Remembrance, commemorates the 6 million Jews and the others who perished in the Holocaust. This year, it will begin at sunset on Sunday, May 5. Local events observing the holiday include survivor testimonies, candlelighting ceremonies, musical performances and community art projects. If there are any events we missed, please email details to [email protected].
Sunday, May 5
SF Community Yom HaShoah — Holocaust commemoration event that includes art exhibition, reading of the names, workshops, guided vocal meditations, author talks, panel discussions, live music, yizkor service and community reception. Presented by JFCS Holocaust Center, JCCSF, AJC, ADL, Antisemitism Education Initiative, UC Berkeley, Brandeis SF, Israeli Consul General, CJM, IAC, Jewish Community Library, JCRC Bay Area, Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation, JIMENA, New Lehrhaus, Northern California Board of Rabbis, SF Hillel, San Francisco Interfaith Council and others. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 1-6:30 p.m. Free.
“Zikaron BaSalon” — Jeff Felson tells the story of his father, Stan (Zalman) Felson z”l, who survived the Holocaust. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 6-8 p.m. Free.
Sacramento Yom HaShoah Commemoration — Holocaust remembrance event with keynote speaker Andra Bucci, one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz. Followed by candle-lighting and kosher refreshments. Presented by Jewish Federation of Sacramento. At Mosaic Law Congregation, 2300 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento. 6:30 p.m. Free.
Beth Emek Yom HaShoah Service — Holocaust remembrance service with prayer, poetry, music, memorial candles and testimony from Holocaust refugee Walter Gewing, who fled Austria in 1938 to the Shanghai ghetto. At Congregation Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court, Pleasanton. 7-8 p.m. Free.
“Hitkansut” — Ceremony for Yom HaShoah with literary texts, testimonies, prayer, music and moments of silence. Open to all ages and families. Led by members of the Silicon Valley Jewish community, including survivors and their descendants, as well as clergy and children. Presented by Jewish Silicon Valley. At Congregation Sinai, 1532 Willowbrae Ave., San Jose. 7-8 p.m. Free.
Yom HaShoah V’HaGevurah — Remembrance ceremony for Yom HaShoah and acts of courage with reading of martyrs’ names, multi-generational services, artwork, writings, music, candlelighting and panel of survivors. Presented by Congregation Beth Jacob, Peninsula Temple Beth El, Peninsula Temple Sholom, PJCC, Peninsula Sinai Congregation, Wornick Jewish Day School, JFCS and Jewish Community Federation. Livestream option. At Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City. 4-6 p.m. Free.
Berkeley Holocaust Remembrance Day — Yom HaShoah event with artist Kitty Klaidman, musicians Rebecca Rust and Friedrich Edelmann, testimony from descendants of survivors and lecture by UC Berkeley professor Ethan Katz. Presented by the City of Berkeley, JFCS East Bay and JCC East Bay. Online. 2-3 p.m. Free.
“Each of Us Has a Name” — Yom HaShoah V’HaGevurah service of remembrance led by local Jewish clergy members, students and musicians with stories of survival, prayers and song honoring those lost and those who survived the Shoah. Presented by Congregations Emek Beracha, Etz Chayim, Kol Emeth and Keddem, Hausner Jewish Day School, Hadassah, Kehillah Jewish High School, OFJCC, Silicon Valley Holocaust Remembrance Association and South Peninsula Hebrew Day School. Livestream option. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 7-8:30 p.m. Free.
Marin Yom HaShoah — Holocaust Remembrance Day gathering honors the lives lost and the Marin community of survivors, reflecting on history and what it means for the future. Presented by Brandeis Marin, Congregations Kol Shofar and Rodef Sholom, JFCS, Osher Marin JCC and Sinai Memorial Chapel. Livestream option. At Congregation Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon. 4-6 p.m. Free.
An Afternoon on the Holocaust—Yom HaShoah event with interactive art project, songs, prayers and readings. Presented by Contra Costa JCC, Beth Chaim Congregation, Congregation B’nai Shalom, Congregation B’nai Tikvah, Temple Isaiah, Contra Costa Jewish Day School, Contra Costa Midrasha, Diablo Valley Hadassah, East Bay International Jewish Film Festival, East Bay Holocaust Education Center, JEICOR, New Lehrhaus, The Reutlinger Community and Sinai Memorial Chapel. At Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. 3:30 p.m. Free.
Monday, May 6
Pink Triangle Memorial — Congregation Sha’ar Zahav and the Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association present Yom HaShoah commemoration marking the intersection between Jewish and LGBTQ+ Holocaust experiences. Led by Cantor Sharon Bernstein. At Pink Triangle Memorial, 2454 Market St., S.F. 6-7 p.m. Free.
“Memories of a Hidden Child”—Online event featuring testimony from Paul, a Holocaust survivor and member of the JFCS William J. Lowenberg Speakers Bureau. The testimony will be followed by a memorial name reading. Presented by the JFCS Holocaust Center, JCCSF, AJC, ADL, Antisemitism Education Initiative, UC Berkeley, Brandeis SF, Israeli Consul General, CJM, IAC, Jewish Community Library, JCRC Bay Area, Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation, JIMENA, New Lehrhaus, Northern California Board of Rabbis, SF Hillel, San Francisco Interfaith Council and others. Online. 11 a.m. Free.