Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025
Day of the Devastaion
Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025
Begins – Wednesday evening, April 23
and Ends – Thursday evening, April 24
To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3 TLB
As Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025 (Yom HaShoah) approaches, we reflect on the significance of this solemn observance day. Yom HaShoah, meaning “Day of the Catastrophe” or “Day of the Devastation“, commemorates the unimaginable tragedy that befell the Jewish people during the Holocaust. On April 24th, sirens will sound throughout Israel, bringing the nation to a standstill for a two-minute tribute to remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust.
As we remember the atrocities of the past, we realize that it is our shared responsibility to ensure that such horrors are never repeated. The Holocaust was not only a Jewish tragedy but a moral failure of humanity. We honor the memory of the six million Jews who perished under the Nazi regime, and we are reminded of the promise in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.“ (NIV)
We stand with Israel and God’s chosen people as we participate in moments of silence to remember all those affected by the “Day of the Catastrophe.” Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, said: “To forget a Holocaust is to kill twice.” Operation Exodus USA will NEVER forget! Let this Yom HaShoah be a call to action, educating ourselves and others. We must stand strong against anti-Semitism that is widespread today—the same murderous hatred that spear-headed the Holocaust. It conspires to destroy Israel and annihilate all Jewish people.
As it is written in Psalm 79:2-4, “For I will show you lessons from our history, stories handed down to us from former generations. I will reveal these truths to you so that you can describe these glorious deeds of Jehovah to your children and tell them about the mighty miracles he did.” (TLB)
As we honor the memories of the Holocaust victims, we are compelled to ensure their sacrifice is not in vain. We reaffirm our commitment to never forget and to support the Jewish people’s right to a safe and secure homeland in Israel. We invite you to join us in this critical effort by supporting Aliyah through Operation Exodus USA. May God comfort the mourners, and may His presence be a source of strength and hope for all those affected by the Holocaust.
With solemn remembrance, we stand with Israel and say, “Never Again!“
John Prosser
President, OEUSA
