Minute for Mission: Holocaust Remembrance Day

“I wonder why our flags fly in different directions. Freedom must be in a different spot in your dictionary.”

Three men who stood in the same line in Auschwitz have nearly consecutive
numbers. Uriel Sinai for The New York Times (provided by Isabella Ramos)

Today, people around the globe are observing Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day. Across the world, candles are lit, names are spoken, and silence holds the weight of the past. I remember learning about the Holocaust in school, studying how entire communities were targeted. Jewish people, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, religious minorities and countless others. The images of history we often see tell a truth that words fail to carry. No lesson, no movie, no photo can recount the suffering that occurred. We hear survivors speak with voices heavy with memory. Wind moves through the ruins whispering names only it remembers. The world swore “never again,” yet the echoes of hatred settle in new corners, wearing new disguises. We think about the ones who survived, who rebuilt lives from nothing. We think about the ones who didn’t, who believed until the last moment that surely humanity would not let this happen. Still, the wind does not forget. Still, the earth holds footprints of those who never walked home. The impact of the atrocities that were witnessed years ago still ring across the globe, and “never again” feels further away than ever.

On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations has a powerful opportunity to honor the memory of those who suffered by standing up for justice in today’s world. We must share the stories of survivors and their families, making sure their voices continue to be heard. We must work alongside others to speak out against antisemitism, hatred and violence wherever they appear. By lifting prayers, creating space for reflection, and pushing for real action through advocacy, we can help connect the past to the present, reminding us all why “never again” must be more than just words.

Isabella Ramos; Young Adult Volunteer; Compassion, Peace & Justice; Interim Unified Agency

Let us join in prayer for:

• Janeen Lush, Accountant 1, Accounts Payable Office, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
• Catherine Lynch, Senior Relationship Manager, Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program 

Let us pray:

God of justice and mercy, we remember the lives lost in the Holocaust and the deep wounds still carried today. Let us never forget. Give us courage to speak out against hate, to stand with the oppressed, and to be instruments of your peace. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Standing in solidarity

May 6, 2024

On this day, communities around the world observe Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day. Together, we stand in solidarity with the Jewish people and pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. An estimated 6 million European Jews and at least 5 million prisoners of war, Romany, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals and other victims were murdered by the Nazis in one of the most horrendous campaigns in human history. On this day, as we pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, we also come together knowing that this act of remembrance is a commitment to a shared responsibility for humankind to ensure such crimes never happen again.

As a young girl, I remember hearing the powerful words “never again” as our leaders and teachers taught us about this dark time in history, a history that is deeply painful to remember. Yet it was made clear that we need to remember, that we are called to remember, in order to reaffirm humankind’s obligation to stand against antisemitism, racism and other forms of intolerance that may lead to violence. In the words of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, “we can never lower our guard,” as we have continued to see today an increase in antisemitic attacks, in xenophobia and homophobia, displaying the hatred that lives on.

As we continue to learn from and listen to the survivors and honor the victims through sharing their memories, their “portraits speak to us of the dignity, humanity and interconnectedness of each unique member of our human family. Their heartbreaking stories of survival and courage inspire us to do more, in whatever way we can, to combat persecution, hatred and discrimination, wherever they are found,” Guterres said.

We are all inextricably connected to one another, and our history reminds us as we move forward about our need to live out the Matthew 25 call to be compassionate, to seek justice and to advocate for others. This is our mission.

Link: https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm19943.doc.htm

Ivy Lopedito (she/her/hers), Mission Specialist, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Today’s Focus: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Denise Hampton, Director/Controller, Finance & Accounting, Administrative Services Group (A Corp) 
Jieun Kim Han and Myung Han Regional Liaisons for East Asia, World Mission, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray

Merciful God, we come to you with heavy hearts as we honor and remember the lives lost and those who are with us today who continue to suffer from the incomprehensible pain that it has brought. I pray that through this day of remembrance we continue to tell their stories so that it will always remind us of our promise to never let such horror happen again. Let us be agents of change, and give us the courage to stand firm against the hatred in our world today. Remind us of our need to be grounded in love as we seek justice and advocate for all. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Standing in solidarity

April 18, 2023

On this day, communities around the world observe Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day. Together we stand in solidarity with the Jewish people and pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. An estimated 6 million European Jews and at least 5 million prisoners of war, Romany, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals and other victims were murdered by the Nazis in one of the most horrendous campaigns in human history. On this day, as we pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, we also come together knowing that this act of remembrance is a commitment to a shared responsibility for humankind to ensure such crimes never happen again.

As a young girl, I remember hearing the powerful words “never again” as our leaders and teachers taught us about this dark time in history, a history that is deeply painful to remember. Yet it was made clear that we need to remember, that we are called to remember, in order to reaffirm humankind’s obligation to stand against antisemitism, racism and other forms of intolerance that may lead to violence. In the words of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, “we can never lower our guard,” as we have continued to see today an increase in antisemitic attacks, in xenophobia and homophobia, displaying the hatred that lives on.

As we continue to learn and listen to the survivors and honor the victims through sharing their memories, their “portraits speak to us of the dignity, humanity and interconnectedness of each unique member of our human family. Their heartbreaking stories of survival and courage inspire us to do more, in whatever way we can, to combat persecution, hatred and discrimination, wherever they are found,” Guterres said.

We are all inextricably connected to one another, and our history reminds us as we move forward about our need to live out the Matthew 25 call to be compassionate, to seek justice and advocate for others. This is our mission.

Link:  https://press.un.org/en/2020/sgsm19943.doc.htm

Ivy Lopedito (she/her/hers), Mission Specialist, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Kristine Baker, Associate for Risk Management, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Zenia Baker, Administrative I, Operations, Presbyterian Foundation

Let us pray

Merciful God, we come to you with heavy hearts as we honor and remember the lives lost, and those who are with us today who continue to suffer from the incomprehensible pain that it has brought. I pray that through this day of remembrance we continue to tell their stories so that it will always remind us of our promise to never let such horror happen again. Let us be agents of change and give us the courage to stand firm against the hatred in our world today. Remind us of our need to be grounded in love as we seek justice and advocate for all. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Holocaust Remembrance Day, Standing in solidarity

April 28, 2022

On this day, communities around the world observe Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day. Together we stand in solidarity with the Jewish people and pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. An estimated 6 million European Jews and at least 5 million prisoners of war, Romany, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals and other victims were murdered by the Nazis in one of the most horrendous campaigns in human history. On this day, as we pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, we also come together knowing that this act of remembrance is a commitment to a shared responsibility for humankind to ensure such crimes never happen again.

As a young girl, I remember hearing the powerful words “never again” as our leaders and teachers taught us about this dark time in history, a history that is deeply painful to remember. Yet it was made clear that we need to remember, that we are called to remember, in order to reaffirm humankind’s obligation to stand against antisemitism, racism and other forms of intolerance that may lead to violence. In the words of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, “we can never lower our guard,” as we have continued to see today an increase in antisemitic attacks, in xenophobia and homophobia, displaying the hatred that lives on.

As we continue to learn and listen to the survivors and honor the victims through sharing their memories, their “portraits speak to us of the dignity, humanity and interconnectedness of each unique member of our human family. Their heartbreaking stories of survival and courage inspire us to do more, in whatever way we can, to combat persecution, hatred and discrimination, wherever they are found,” Guterres said.

We are all inextricably connected to one another, and our history reminds us as we move forward about our need to live out the Matthew 25 call to be compassionate, to seek justice and advocate for others. This is our mission.

Ivy Lopedito (she/her/hers), Mission Specialist, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Link: https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm19943.doc.htm

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Tracy Pou, Vice president of Marketing & Communications, Board of Pensions
Kim Pryor,  Vice President, Director Trust Relationship Services, Presbyterian Foundation

Let us pray

Merciful God, we come to you with heavy hearts as we honor and remember the lives lost, and those who are with us today who continue to suffer from the incomprehensible pain that it has brought. I pray that through this day of remembrance we continue to tell their stories so that it will always remind us of our promise to never let such horror happen again. Let us be agents of change and give us the courage to stand firm against the hatred in our world today. Remind us of our need to be grounded in love as we seek justice and advocate for all. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Nurturing Hagar’s Community Church at the Washington Corrections Center for Women

April 7, 2021

One gesture, one story: Nina Weil survived the Theresienstadt and Auschwitz concentration camps. She was tattooed with the number 71978. Photo credit: U.N. – Gamaraal Foundation

Henry owned a parcel of land. He had bought a 100-by-100-foot lot in a dangerous part of town years ago hoping to make a profit when the neighborhood improved. For a time, he lived in the vacant building on the lot to chase away squatters and even got beat up a few times. Henry was a big man. What I remember most about Henry was the way he walked, with a purposeful stride, wearing a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. My partners and I had gone to see him about buying that piece of property. He was a tough negotiator, but eventually we came to an agreement.

Henry was a man of few words and when we did talk, it was all about work. But later when I called to say goodbye as I was leaving the company, I was surprised when he asked about my future plans and my family. After I told him, he volunteered that he had lost his parents and his siblings in the concentration camps. He was the only one in his family to survive. He said several times, “It was just horrible … too horrible to talk about.” There was a long silence. Eventually we wished one another well and hung up. Henry never had a family of his own, but we (and he) built 60 units of affordable housing for low-income families on that lot, with a playground in the back. He came to the opening ceremony.

With the passing years, there are fewer survivors to remind us about the horrors of the Holocaust. Henry is a witness to that horror. One person’s hell. One person’s anguish and unspeakable suffering. We live in the age of disinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories. Holocaust deniers and anti-Semitism are on the rise. For Henry’s sake, we must speak truth to power. 

Sue Rheem; Representative to the United Nations; Compassion, Peace & Justice; Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Anisha Hackney, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Mark Hare and Jenny Bent, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

Dear God, may we not forget what Holocaust means and what the survivors of the Holocaust have suffered. May we speak for the strangers and neighbors in our midst, giving voice to the voiceless. May we work for your justice in the face of evil. In your Holy name we pray. Amen.