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.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
February Recognized as Black History Month by Trump
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
