Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 Nisan eight days before Yom Ha’atzmaut / Israel Independence Day. It is an official day to remember the Holocaust and was established in 1959.

In Israel, flags are flown at half mast and there is a state ceremony held at Yad Vashem the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes Authority. At 10am airraid sirens are sounded for two minutes and all activity comes to a halt.

In the Diaspora, the day is marked with ceremonies and rituals that include the lighting of memorial candles and the recitation of Kaddish. Throughout Asia, Jewish communities band together and solemnly observed this important holiday.