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 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013Yom HaShoah 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014Note: Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday.
List of dates for other years
Many Canadians observe Yom Hashoah, which is also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day. It commemorates the lives and heroism of Jewish people who died in the Holocaust between 1933 and 1945.
Yom HaShoah commemorates the lives and heroism of Jewish victims of the Holocaust during World War II.
©iStockphoto.com/jason walton
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. 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: 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 | |
| Thu | Apr 30 | 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 | |
| Thu | Apr 7 | 1994 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Thu | Apr 27 | 1995 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 16 | 1996 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | May 5 | 1997 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 22 | 1998 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 13 | 1999 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | May 2 | 2000 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 18 | 2001 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 9 | 2002 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 29 | 2003 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Apr 19 | 2004 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | May 4 | 2005 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 25 | 2006 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Apr 16 | 2007 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 30 | 2008 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Tue | Apr 21 | 2009 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Apr 12 | 2010 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | May 2 | 2011 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 18 | 2012 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Apr 8 | 2013 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Mon | Apr 28 | 2014 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday | |
| Wed | Apr 15 | 2015 | Yom HaShoah | Jewish holiday |
Other holidays in April 2013 in Canada
- Easter Monday ―Monday, April 1, 2013
- Last day of Passover ―Tuesday, April 2, 2013
- National Tartan Day ―Saturday, April 6, 2013
- Vimy Ridge Day ―Tuesday, April 9, 2013
- Yom HaAtzmaut ―Tuesday, April 16, 2013
- St. George's Day ―Monday, April 22, 2013
- Lag B'Omer ―Sunday, April 28, 2013
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