Yom HaShoah in Canada
Quick Facts
Yom Hashoah commemorates the lives of about six million Jewish people who died during World War II. This observance is annually held on the 27th day of the month of Nisan.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Yom HaShoah | English |
| Yom HaShoah | French |
Yom HaShoah 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009Yom HaShoah 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.
See list of observations below
Many Holocaust victims were placed in concentration camps (barbed wire of a former camp site pictured above) during World War II. They are remembered on Yom Hashoah each year. ©iStockphoto.com/Maros Markovic
What do people do?
Many people in Canada, including those with Jewish ancestry or connections, observe Yom Hashoah on the 27th day of the month of Nisan. Many Jewish communities hold commemorative ceremonies or events to remember Holocaust victims who died during World War II.
The Masorti (Conservative Judaism) movement in Israel created Megillat HaShoah, a scroll and liturgical reading for Yom HaShoah. This is a joint effort between Jewish leaders Canada, Israel, and the United States. Synagogue services are held in Canada during Yom Hashoah and rituals may vary. Activities may include lighting memorial candles and reciting the Kaddish, which is a prayer for the departed.
Educational programs about the historical events associated with Yom Hashoah are shown around this time of the year, particularly to students learning about Jewish history. These programs may include a documentary featuring Holocaust survivors’ stories or a viewing of a Holocaust-themed film. Teaching resources and guidelines may accompany some of these programs.
Public life
Yom Hashoah is not a federal public holiday in Canada.
Background
Israel’s Knesset (parliament) established Yom Hashoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, as a memorial to about six million Jewish people who were slaughtered by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. It is observed on the 27th day of the month of Nisan, which marks the day when Allied troops liberated the first Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald, Germany, in 1945. The full name of the day is Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah, which means the "Day of (remembrance of) the Holocaust and the Heroism".
About Yom HaShoah in other countries
Read more about Yom HaShoah.Yom HaShoah Observances
Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Apr 13 | 1980 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | May 1 | 1981 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 20 | 1982 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 10 | 1983 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 29 | 1984 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 18 | 1985 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 6 | 1986 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 26 | 1987 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 14 | 1988 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 2 | 1989 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 22 | 1990 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 11 | 1991 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 30 | 1992 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 18 | 1993 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Apr 8 | 1994 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 27 | 1995 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 16 | 1996 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | May 4 | 1997 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 23 | 1998 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 13 | 1999 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 2 | 2000 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | Apr 20 | 2001 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 9 | 2002 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 29 | 2003 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 18 | 2004 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | May 6 | 2005 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 25 | 2006 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 15 | 2007 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Fri | May 2 | 2008 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 21 | 2009 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 11 | 2010 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | May 1 | 2011 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 19 | 2012 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 7 | 2013 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Sun | Apr 27 | 2014 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 16 | 2015 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday |
Other holidays in April 2009 in Canada
- Palm Sunday (Sunday, April 5, 2009)
- Vimy Ridge Day (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
- Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
- First day of Passover (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
- Good Friday (Friday, April 10, 2009)
- Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 11, 2009)
- Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 12, 2009)
- Easter Monday (Monday, April 13, 2009)
- Last day of Passover (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
- Orthodox Good Friday (Friday, April 17, 2009)
- Orthodox Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 18, 2009)
- Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 19, 2009)
- St. George's Day (Monday, April 20, 2009)
- Orthodox Easter Monday (Monday, April 20, 2009)
- Yom HaAtzmaut (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
