A day to remember. January 27th: International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Do not forget

Every January 27th, humanity pauses to remember one of the darkest and most painful chapters in history: The Holocaust. On this date, we honor the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazi regime, as well as the millions of other innocent victims persecuted, dehumanized, and exterminated by hatred, antisemitism, and intolerance.

Remembering is not solely an act of historical memory; it is a permanent moral imperative. History has shown that hatred does not disappear on its own and that indifference, silence, or forgetfulness create the conditions for it to reemerge with new forms and new faces.

Havana as the setting for remembrance

On Tuesday, January 27th, the Jewish Community of Cuba, together with the Albert Einstein Jewish Sunday School, organized an event to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

This act was a reaffirmation of the commitment of Cuban Jews to the memory of the victims, to transmitting the truth to new generations, and to the firm denunciation of all forms of antisemitism, denialism, and violence. El Patronato (Beth Shalom Synagogue) hosted this heartfelt commemoration.

Special guests

It is now a tradition for members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Cuba to join us for these remembrance events. Ambassadors, officials, and other friends from the European Union, Poland, Germany, Argentina, and Chile were present at the ceremony, acknowledging the magnitude of the moment while demonstrating profound respect and sensitivity.

A special mention is due to the Ambassador of Poland to Cuba, Joanna Kozinska. In addition to her close, years-long relationship with the Jewish Community of Havana, she has the honor of being the daughter-in-law of a person recognized by Yad Vashem as a "Righteous Among the Nations" for helping to save many Jews during the Second World War.

Keeping memory alive as a commitment

Organizing a Holocaust (Shoah) remembrance event is not merely a ceremonial task; it is, above all, an act of conscience, moral courage, and fidelity to the duty of remembrance. Several moments during the event illustrated how we, Cuban Jews, honor that memory.

Our leaders shared heartfelt words, poems were read, and testimonial videos were screened. A particularly moving moment was the removal of the photograph of Ran Gvili, the last hostage whose body had remained in Gaza, from the "Mural of the Abducted." This mural is a project by the Cuban Jewish Youth Organization demanding the return of all victims of the October 7th terrorist attacks.

Another solemn moment was the lighting of the Six Memorial Candles, representing the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. Each candle was lit by a member of the Jewish Community of Cuba, accompanied by a representative from the diplomatic corps. Subsequently, the leader of the Religious Services recited the Male Rachamim prayer, followed by a communal recitation of the Mourner's Kaddish.

Never again

It was a Day of Remembrance to reaffirm our duty to defend life, human dignity, and the right of all people to live in peace. Therefore, at a time when antisemitism is once again manifesting with brutality, reminding us that hatred is not confined to the past, this act held an even deeper significance.

The slogan #WeRemember resonates today, more than ever, in the heart of every Cuban Jew. Remembering is a daily exercise of conscience, education, responsibility, and resolve. For this reason, we commemorated this January 27th with such solemnity and feeling. In doing so, we not only honor memory, but also declare NEVER AGAIN.