Holocaust Memorial Day being honored in Long Beach

Long Beach community members are all invited to gather at Temple Emanu-El Monday, May 6 to commemorate Yom Hashoah, also known as Holocaust Memorial Day.

“It’s an important day on the calendar, that we remember the tragedies of the Holocaust and World War II,” Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft said. “It just feels like this year, with what’s going on in the world, namely, the upsurge in anti-Semitism, it’s important to pause and reflect.”

The eighth annual event will start at 7 p.m., with the special service being led by Zanerhaft and Cantor Lisa Kantor. There will be musical interludes, a candle-lighting ceremony and a guest keynote speaker.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to show unity in a community to really understand it’s not just about a certain people like Jewish people,” Zanerhaft said, “but all who are targets of discrimination hatred, violence, bigotry, prejudice. That we really come together and try to change the course from such a frightening possibility to resetting our course towards a more towards a better society.”

For more information on the event or the temple’s other services, visit them at 455 Neptune Blvd., call them at (516) 431-4060 or visit their website at TempleEmanuElLongBeach.org.