Today, the United States and Israel observe Holocaust Remembrance Day which recalls the start of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising that began on April 19, 1943. The uprising, which ended on May 16, 1943, represented the largest rebellion of Jews fighting the Nazi forces inPoland.

Assembly Republican Sean Kean, R-Monmouth and Ocean, issued the following statement regarding today’s remembrance:

“We must never forget the terrible atrocities that occurred during the Nazi regime. Recalling the heinous acts that resulted in 6 million deaths should remind everyone that freedom should never be taken for granted. Many innocent lives were lost and families destroyed. The horrific and painful stories teach us what some people are capable of. We mourn the lives lost during the Holocaust and are thankful for those who survived.”

The New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education estimates there are approximately 2,000 Holocaust survivors living in New Jersey.

This year, Yom HaShoah falls on April 19, with the official state ofNew Jerseycommemoration scheduled for Tuesday inNorthfieldand another unique ceremony with Torahs that survived the Holocaust inPrincetonApril 22.

In Hebrew, Yom HaShoah means day of the Holocaust and the remembrance is meant to fall on or near the anniversary of the start of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which began April 19, 1943. The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was the largest revolt by one group of Jews during the Holocaust, fighting against German forces inPolandwho were trying to transport them to Treblinka extermination camp. The uprising was ultimately unsuccessful and ended May 16, 1943.

Yom HaShoah is meant to remember the 6 million Jews who died during the Holocaust, as well as the survivors. The New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education is instrumental in commemoration ceremonies. It co-sponsors the official state remembrance with the governor’s office and creates curriculum for students in kindergarten through 12th grade throughout the year.

Every April, the Jewish community in theUnited StatesandIsraelobserves Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, to commemorate those lost during the Holocaust and recognize the survivors

Dr. Paul B. Winkler, executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, said the commission, the first of its kind in the country, was first appointed in 1982 by Gov. Thomas Kean. The legislature passed a mandate that Gov. Christine Todd Whitman signed in 1994 “that all students must learn about the evils of bias and prejudice through the teaching of the Holocaust and genocide,” Winkler explained. His organization creates curriculum for students in kindergarten through high school.

He also stressed that the commission focuses on more than just those who perished during World War II. “It’s very important for us that the Holocaust Commission is not the Jewish commission,” Winkler said. “It’s a commission that deals with all issues of intolerance and prejudice and how it’s impacted people.”

Winkler estimates that about 2,000 Holocaust survivors are living inNew Jersey. TLS.