The Rowan Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies held its annual Holocaust remembrance ceremony last week. The event started with a small speaking portion on the Robinson circle green, where the significance of the event was discussed. Students then lit their candles one by one and began to walk.

The walking route took the students from the Robinson green to the back patio of the Student Center. After arriving, students formed a circle around the patio and began to read prepared passages.

Each prompt told the story of a survivor of the Holocaust: where they had come from, how they became part of the tragedy and whether or not they actually survived. Several prompts also told the stories of people who risked their lives to save Jewish men, women and children during the Holocaust.

After the speeches on the patio, the mourner’s Kaddish, a Jewish prayer is used to mourn the dead and commemorate the lives they lived, was said.

For Fraidy Loschak, co-director of Rowan Chabad and a co-sponsor for the event, Holocaust Remembrance Day is significant. Near the end of the event, Loschak shared the story of one of her relative’s experience in the Holocaust. Afterwards, she said sharing people’s life story is the best way to keep them alive.

“I think it is extremely important,” Loschak said. “And that is really the only way to ensure that these stories don’t get forgotten, and the lessons continue with us throughout life.”

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