Holocaust Memorial Day

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While bearing their unique witness to the Holy One of Israel and to the Torah, the Jewish people have suffered much at different times and in many places. But the Shoah was certainly the worst suffering of all. The inhumanity with which the Jews were persecuted and massacred during this century is beyond the capacity of words to convey. All this was done to them for the sole reason that they were Jews.

The Mourner's Kaddish

[SIZE=+1] Magnified and sanctified be God's great name in the world which He has created according to His will.
May He establish His kingdom soon, in our lifetime. Let us say: Amen.

May His great name be praised to all eternity.
Hallowed and honored, extolled and exalted, adored and acclaimed be the name of the Holy One, though He is above all the praises, hymns, and songs of adoration which men can utter. Let us say: Amen.


May God grant abundant peace and life to us and to all Israel. Let us say: Amen.


May He who ordains harmony in the universe grant peace to us and to all Israel. Let us say: Amen.
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Pope Francis: 'The horror of the Holocaust must never be repeated'
Posted: Monday, January 27, 2014 4:50 pm

Entrance to Auszwitz Pope Francis has written a letter to his friend Rabbi Abraham Skorka of Buenos Aires on the occasion of Holocaust Memorial Day which takes place today, 27 January. The letter will be read out this evening evening at a concert in Rome entitled 'Violins of Hope'.
In the hand written letter to Rabbi Abraham Skorka, the Pope the describes the Holocaust as "a horror and a disgrace to humanity that must never be repeated."
The Pope writes that the audience will be hearing pieces including works by Barber, Vivaldi and Beethoven, but he stresses that behind the sound of music, the hearts of each of those present will be able to make out the silent sound of tears.
To add to the poignancy of the evening, twelve violins that survived the Holocaust will be played together for the first time at the concert. The instruments were discovered and restored by Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein.
Source: Vatican Radio




God, gracious beyond our imagining,
we want to trust that you are never more powerful
than when you are with those in the rawest need.
Give us the courage to do the right thing,
to speak truth,
to oppose what must be opposed,
and to build bridges with strangers,
through the one who is both familiar and unknown .