From Remembrance to Renewal:

Marking Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut

Each spring, the Jewish calendar guides us through a powerful journey—one that moves from mourning to memory, and ultimately, to celebration. In the span of just a few weeks, we observe Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day), and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day). These three days, taken together, form a deeply emotional arc that reminds us of our collective history, our resilience, and our ongoing commitment to Jewish life and continuity.

Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day

Observed this year on the evening of Wednesday, April 23 through Thursday, April 24, Yom HaShoah is a solemn day to remember the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust, along with the countless others who suffered under Nazi terror. Across the world, Jews gather to light memorial candles, recite Kaddish, and share stories that must never be forgotten.

At the JCA, Yom HaShoah offers an opportunity for our Southern Maine community to come together in grief and in remembrance. Whether through survivor testimonies, educational programs, or moments of silence, we affirm our shared responsibility: to remember, to educate, and to stand against antisemitism and hatred in all its forms.

Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day

One week later, Yom HaZikaron reminds us that the State of Israel, a symbol of hope and self-determination for the Jewish people, has come at great cost. On this day, we honor the lives of Israeli soldiers who have fallen in defense of the nation, as well as victims of terrorism. In Israel, a siren sounds and the entire country pauses—traffic stops, conversations cease, and stillness falls—as a sign of collective mourning.

Here in Maine, while we may be geographically distant, we join in spirit with those grieving in Israel. It’s a moment to reflect on sacrifice, to express solidarity, and to remember that freedom and peace are never guaranteed—they must be nurtured, protected, and pursued together.

Yom Ha'Atzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day

Immediately following Yom HaZikaron, the mood shifts dramatically as Israel transitions from mourning to celebration with Yom Ha'Atzmaut, marking the declaration of independence in 1948. This year, it begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 30. Across Israel and Jewish communities around the world, this day is filled with joy, gratitude, music, dancing, and celebration of Jewish sovereignty.

We celebrate both the dream and the reality of a modern Jewish state—and the deep ties that connect us to it.

A Journey of the Jewish Heart

These three days—Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom Ha'Atzmaut—form a uniquely Jewish sequence of memory, mourning, and hope. As we observe them together, we hold space for both the pain and the pride of our people’s story. We invite our community to join us in honoring the past, engaging with the present, and building toward a shared future rooted in resilience, justice, and joy.

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A Call for Peace and Responsible Rhetoric

July 31, 2026

A Call for Peace & Responsible Rhetoric

Remembering, Rebuilding, and Resilience: JCRC Hosts Eugene Damlich

July 15, 2026

Last week, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine welcomed Eugene Damlich, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, for a special lunch and community dialogue. Eugene shared the story of losing his family, surviving unimaginable violence, and rebuilding his life in the years that followed. The only surviving child in a family of five children, Eugene later immigrated to the United States, where, as an adult, he found love and belonging with a Jewish-American family. The gathering was not simply a testimony program, but a genuine exchange between communities. Eugene asked participants how the Jewish community has preserved Holocaust memory while helping survivors and their descendants live with hope, dignity, and purpose. He also invited discussion about forgiveness, justice, healing, and the responsibility to transmit memory across generations. Several people at the table were children of Holocaust survivors—one JCRC member, Anna Wrobel, shared that her mother was also the sole survivor of her family—profoundly relating to Eugene in a way that few others can. In preparation for the lunch, the JCRC held its first movie night, where participants watched Sometimes in April, a 2005 historical drama about the Rwandan Genocide. Last week’s lunch also built upon the JCRC’s participation in this year’s Kwibuka, which annually commemorates the Rwandan Genocide; JCRC members walked in the memorial procession, and a post-Kwibuaka gathering for Maine’s Tutsi community was held at the JCA. We are deeply grateful to Eugene for sharing his testimony, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen the relationship between Maine’s Jewish and Tutsi communities.

2026 Shlichim Spotlight

June 29, 2026

Camp is officially in session, and we’re so excited to welcome this year’s Israeli Shlichim to Center Day Camp. Each summer, our Shlichim (Hebrew for “emissaries”) travel from Israel to spend the season at camp—sharing their culture, traditions, language, stories, and everyday life with our campers and community. Through games, conversations, music, special programs, and lots of fun, they help create meaningful connections that bring Israel to life in authentic and personal ways. Wishing all of our campers, staff, and Shlichim an unforgettable summer ahead!