On the evening of April 17, our congregation joined with the North Fork Reform Synagogue to observe Yom HaShoah, honoring the six million murdered in the Holocaust. Rabbi Gadi led the program with prayers, and we lit yellow candles in solidarity with Jews and Christians around the world. Attached to each candle was the name of a child lost in the Holocaust; each participant recited the name aloud. We heard moving commentary from Annie Nodes, whose parents were Holocaust survivors. And in conclusion, we recited the Kaddish prayer.                                                                  SMBloom screen shot

In Israel, a nationwide siren sounded for two minutes, and all activity stopped, including traffic in the streets. Drivers exited their vehicles and stood beside their cars with heads bowed.                                                         Getty Image