News Summary
A solemn remembrance program in Myrtle Beach honored the six million Jews lost in the Holocaust. Organized by the Chabad Community Center, the event featured 1.5 million butterflies representing child victims. Rabbi Doron Aizenman emphasized the significance of remembering history to prevent future atrocities, especially in light of rising antisemitic incidents. The ceremony also highlighted political challenges to Holocaust remembrance, including the dismissal of nominees to the Holocaust Memorial Council. A traveling exhibit, ‘Americans and the Holocaust,’ is set to open in Charleston in 2025.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – A solemn remembrance program took place on Wednesday to honor the six million lives lost in the Holocaust, amidst rising concerns over antisemitic incidents across the United States.
The event, organized by the Chabad Community Center, marked the Holocaust Remembrance and Israeli Memorial Day with a significant display of nearly 1.5 million butterflies. This visual representation symbolizes the number of children who were victims of the Holocaust and served as a poignant reminder of the past.
Rabbi Doron Aizenman, who led the ceremony, underscored the event’s importance in preventing future atrocities similar to the Holocaust. He reinforced the idea that understanding and remembering this dark chapter of history is vital to ensuring it does not repeat itself. Rabbi Aizenman also shared a personal connection to the Holocaust, revealing that his own grandparents were victims.
Recent reports have highlighted an alarming increase in antisemitic incidents, particularly on college campuses, which have coincided with the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This rise in antisemitism makes remembrance events like this one even more critical for fostering understanding and solidarity against hate.
The weather on the day of the ceremony was partly cloudy with the possibility of stray showers or thunderstorms, but this did not deter the attendees from gathering in remembrance of the Holocaust victims.
Recent political developments have also cast a shadow over Holocaust remembrance efforts. President Donald Trump dismissed several nominees to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, including Doug Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Emhoff criticized the decision, emphasizing that the commemoration of the Holocaust should transcend political agendas. The White House has not provided immediate comments regarding the dismissal of these nominees.
In addition to the remembrance efforts in Myrtle Beach, a traveling exhibit titled “Americans and the Holocaust” is set to be displayed at the Charleston County Public Library in South Carolina. The exhibit is designed to showcase how Americans responded to the rise of Nazism in the 1930s and 1940s and will offer insights into societal pressures and influences that affected American reactions to the Holocaust.
This exhibit will be open from September 9 to October 15, 2025, at the main branch of the Charleston County Public Library. Accompanying special events will include a panel discussion featuring children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, aimed at providing relatable historical perspectives on the Holocaust experience.
Historian Rebecca Erbelding from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has noted that this exhibit challenges the prevailing assumption that Americans were aware of and did nothing about the Holocaust. Furthermore, the exhibit features Dr. Seuss’ political cartoons, which serve as warnings against the dangers of isolationism and antisemitism.
As communities continue to hold significant remembrance events and educate on the events of the Holocaust, the collective memory serves not only to honor those lost but to fortify the resolve against hate and intolerance in today’s society.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Myrtle Beach Community Unites for Holocaust Remembrance Program
- Post and Courier: Holocaust Memorial Exhibit in Charleston
- WISTV: SC Leaders Gather for 80th Commemoration of Liberation of Auschwitz
- Wikipedia: Holocaust
- Google Search: Holocaust remembrance
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
