The City of West Hollywood will host a Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m., at the City Council at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., followed by a candle-lighting ceremony at the Babi Yar Memorial in Plummer Park, located at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd.
Yom HaShoah is an opportunity to remember victims of the Holocaust and focus on preventing genocides and other human atrocities from happening again.
“Taking time to remember this darkest time in our history and honoring those who died as a result of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust is of vital importance — especially given the current political climate,” said West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister. “We must never forget. And we must continue to work for fairness, justice, and respect for everyone.”
This year’s Yom HaShoah program will feature the subtitled documentary film “Holocaust – is that wallpaper paste?” The documentary is based on journalist Mumin Shakirov’s mission to educate two Russian sisters on the subject of the Holocaust. The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary shuttle service from Plummer Park will be provided beginning at 12:15 p.m.
Immediately following the screening and program, shuttles will return to Plummer Park, where the candle-lighting ceremony will be held outdoors at the Babi Yar Memorial. The ceremony will pay tribute to the memory of much-admired Russian poet Yevgeny A. Yevtushenko, who received international praise with his 1961 poem “Babi Yar,” which documented the murder of Jews and which condemned anti-Semitism in the former Soviet Union. Yevtushenko had attended the City of West Hollywood’s Babi Yar candle-lighting ceremony in the past. To reserve a spot on the shuttle, please call the City of West Hollywood’s Recreation Services Division at (323) 848-6479.
West Hollywood is home to a large community of people from regions of the former Soviet Union — some of whom are Holocaust survivors or descendants of survivors. According to a 2013 survey of the community in West Hollywood, there are 3,872 people who live in WeHo who identify a former region of the Soviet Union as their primary ancestry. This represents approximately 11% of the City’s total population of 34,399 people.
Today, Sunday April 23 is Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance day Eve. i looked at the city calendar, nothing is mention all month, why?
So sad, especially at this time, when we are facing so much hate, towards jews, LGBT and so many others.
creative city ? wake up.
How is our residents supposed to know about it ?
again and again, year after year, our city forget whats reality important NEVER FORGET OUR HISTORY.
Love From Tel Aviv. ISRAEL.
Nir Zilberman.
Thank You. It took lots of Drama. Thank you, Mayor, Lauren for keeping your word after our meeting last year with our city manager, Paul. It is the right thing to do.