APRIL 15 this year is a day of remembrance for six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust from 1933 to 1945, before and during World War II, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazis systematically persecuted and murdered the Jewish people. More than one third of the World Jewry, as well as another five million non-Jews throughout Europe, were killed during this period. The genocide, which the Nazis dubbed "The Final Solution,'' occurred mainly at six death camps located in Poland.

On April 12, 1951, the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) declared every 27th day of Nisan as Yom HaShoah U'Mered Ha Getaot (Holocaust and Ghetto Revolt Remembrance Day) - a day to solemnly remember and honor the Jews who perished and those who showed resistance and heroism during the Holocaust. The day, which is the anniversary of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising, is observed with candle lighting, listening to accounts of survivors and key resource persons; poetry reading, praying, and singing. Six candles are lighted to represent the six million who were murdered during what is considered one of the darkest period of the world's history. …