HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) joined other officials Monday for the state’s annual Civic Commemoration of the Holocaust, officiated by the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition.
“Over the weekend was Yom HaShoah, which is the holiday that is the memorial for the holocaust,” explained Scott Goldman, the chairman of the coalition.
More than six million European Jewish people were killed from 1941 to 1945.
Many holocaust survivors have also died over the years, leaving families to tell their stories.
“Now, perhaps more than ever before, we need to lift up your voices. We need to lift up those stories,” Shapiro said.
The event also highlighted concerns of rising anti-Semitism following the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7.
“Since that attack, we’ve seen nearly a 150% increase in anti-Semitic incidents across our country. Sadly, that number is even higher here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Shapiro noted.
The attack left 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 200 taken hostage.
Calls for action echoed throughout the governor’s reception room, emphasizing the importance of educating students on speaking out against human rights violations.
Officials like Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill and Senator Judith Schwank cited the passing of Act 70 of 2014 during their remarks.
“This is a time to engage. This is not a time to step back. This is a time to step in,” said Representative Mark Gillen (R) 128th Legislative District.
“It’s truly existential. It is about the survival of the Jewish people,” Goldman said.
Ben Smither, the grandson of a holocaust survivor, played Zog Nit Keynmol on the violin to conclude the commemoration.
The song serves as a reminder to never forget.
“Remembering ensures that we do our part to prevent an atrocity like this from ever happening again,” Shapiro said.