Yom Hashoah

[onionsoupmix]

So my kids didn't know what Yom Hashoah was.

They did not talk at all about Holocaust Rememberance day in their school. I let it go for a bit, thinking that maybe they had programs for older children or that my kids just forgot. But today I called the school and found out that it was official policy because "all types of rememberances of that sort

Comments

Like you didn’t know…

[24816]

Thank G-d, Jewish history is so long and rich that every day could be made into holiday or a day of morning.
So they grouped them all by categories -
On Purim we celebrate all the victories when Jews were in danger
During Hanukkah we celebrate all the victories when Judaism was in danger
…
Similarly, each community has its own auspicious times.
But they don’t dare to impose new general obligations.
My first manager in America was a Jew who never heard of Tisha Be Ave and he thought that there are too many Jewish Holidays already. So I told him the story about similar Aman’s notion and that the Jews made one more holiday in commemoration of his chutzpah. Luckily, my manager had a sense of humor.
-FI

Re: Like you didn’t know…

[antidos]

Come on, they are orthodox, orthodox do not accept holidays made by tzioynim, and they don't seem to remember Holocaust anyway - of course, destruction of some stone building long time ago is much more important for them.

Unfortunately, OSM kids go to a wrong school I suspect. I just hope that it would do no harm, after all we all went to Soviet schools ourselves.

Re: Like you didn’t know…

[24816]

Come on, there are orthodox tzioynim as well.

My Rabbi and his wife’s families are Holocaust survivors so it means a great deal to them, but they strive to preserve the traditions intact so we have somewhat accurate point of reference.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabaqui
"It was the jackal - Tabaqui, the Dish-licker - and the wolves of India despise Tabaqui because he runs about making mischief, and telling tales, and eating rags and pieces of leather from the village rubbish-heaps.
-FI

Re: Like you didn’t know…

[antidos]

My Rabbi and his wife’s families are Holocaust survivors so it means a great deal to them, but they strive to preserve the traditions intact so we have somewhat accurate point of reference.

Somehow guys who established Tzom Gedalyah for example, didn't strive to preserve the traditions that much.

Tabaqui,

Our sages of blessed memory say: Haposel - bemumo posel. Please see your rabbi for translation.

[antidos]

Well it is a tzioynishe zach, and real frum people don't want to do anything with the newly invented tzioynishe minchogim.

However I just don't understand why did you call school ? Did you expect any reasonable reaction ? Would you call a school principal in Soviet Union and ask him why kids do not learn anything about 6 million Jews perished in WW2 ?

[onionsoupmix]

I called the school, hoping that they actually do teach something about the day and my kids forgot or are too young or something. But not so. Apparently six million Jews killed is nothing to remember on any particular day.

But let's all be sure and fast on taanis esther because a thousand years ago in Persia a bad guy threatened the Jews and we survived. Give me a break.

[antidos]

Wrong school, what can I say ? :(

But we all managed to go through soviet schools, hopefully our kids will manage through this kosher mess.

[onionsoupmix]

The good thing is that hopefully they will be in a different school soon.

so...

[anonymous]

are they going to teach them about the holocaust on tisha b'av? i suspect not because they probably wont be in school at that time. so...how and when will they learn about the holocaust? the school doesnt teach it at all? how is that acceptable?
here we are trying to make sure the whole world never forgets and our own people right in our backyard arent even teaching about it.. whats up with that?
-anya

Re: so...

[onionsoupmix]

Yeah, I am so pissed. Apparently, not only do I have to teach math, literature & science to my kids, but I also should have been teaching Jewish History. All while paying tuition.

Re: so...

[antidos]

I am doing the same but I don't pay tuition, baruch hashem. Consider me lucky :)

At least they will know everything about permitted length of skirts and the thickness of stockings. It is very important for a bas Yisroel to know why she cannot wear black stockings, and why burka is the preferred way to dress. Don't you agree ?

FYI, there is a saying:

[24816]

Lechit'sya darom - darom lechit'sya,
G-d forbid.
-FI

[bringing_peace]

It is interesting to note that in their Holocaust memorial rush ppl forget that during Hurban 1 & 2 many more Jews perished. That this is not the biggest threat we ever faced. Haman, if successful, would have killed ALL the Jews.

This being said, Holocaust is a tragedy that was done in a very different way and had it's own important lesson.

So I do not know if we need a separate Yom HaShoa, but if this is the only way to remember this particular part of our history, let it be this way.

[onionsoupmix]

It is interesting to note that in their Holocaust memorial rush ppl forget that during Hurban 1 & 2 many more Jews perished

I would like to see a source for this. I tried looking up the numbers and was not able to find anything to support your position.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/revolt.html

[bringing_peace]

I think Josefus has numbers.

[malenkiy_scot]

http://antiwar.com/hacohen/?articleid=12826

[onionsoupmix]

Lovely.