ORANJESTAD — Members of the Jewish community memorialized the six million victims of the Holocaust during the Second World War at a service in the Synagogue Beth Israel, led by Rabbi Daniel Kripper. The ceremony, called Yom Hashoah, took place on May 2nd, 2019 and was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Culture, Xiomara Maduro, Parliamentarian Mervin Wyatt-Ras and representatives of different churches.
The service had an extra dimension because of the recent happening that took place at a synagogue in Poway, California in the U.S., where people were attacked during the service in the synagogue on the last day of Passover. Also the 257 victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka were part of the reflection of the evening at Beth Israel. The Rabbi explained that the yearly ceremony remembers a historic epic of a bad kind, but that unfortunately he still takes note of the existence of Neo-Nazi groups and other anti-Israel organizations in the world. He feels sad to see that not only synagogues are the targets of attacks, but also Christian churches, many times in countries where they are a minority and an easier target. “Terrorism will not stop,” speaks the Rabbi. “These terrifying acts are often done in the name of God, but God preaches peace, harmony and solidarity.”
The Rabbi wishes that the Yom Hashoah or Holocaust and Heroism Memorial that is honoring the victims of the past, also links to the current times and the act of violence in the sense of a protests and contra-movements of hope and peace. Therefore he was very pleased to see representatives of other religions present during the ceremony. “All of us can relate to the present attacks and terrorism dangers, we are here to unite and share ideals.” David Cybul, member of the Jewish community, declared that this evening not only the six million Jewish victims are remembered as also the civilians, militaries, Catholics, Christians, Muslims, Gypsies, black people and many more that found death of the in total 72 million victims during World War II. The ceremony contained a spiritual part and showed the documentary “Defiant Requiem.” More information about the synagogue can be found at: Facebook Beth Israel Synagogue Aruba.q
