Students hold Holocaust vigil

The voice of College sophomore Cecelia Beyer contrasted with the night's silence as she sang Ani Ma'amin, a prayer for salvation despite overwhelming odds. Beyer and more than 70 students, professors and parents took part last night in events marking Yom HaShoah-- a Holocaust memorial ceremony that began as a candlelight procession from Superblock to the Peace Sign on College Green. The speakers opened ceremonies on the Green by sharing personal thoughts and readings about Holocaust-related subjects. Students then began a 24-hour vigil which will continue until tonight at 9 p.m. According to College junior Reuven Bell, co-chairperson for the Hillel Holocaust Education Committee, the vigil serves to remember Holocaust victims related to University students by reading their names aloud. Because this year's memorial falls on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of occupied Europe it is especially relevant, according to Abigail Lindenbaum, co-chairperson for the Committee. Six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. "If you count from one to six million, saying one number every second, you would be here all of April, May, June and July," she added. "We are here to mourn those that died, to praise those that had the strength of mind and body to survive, and to pay homage to those that ended the nightmare," Lindenbaum explained. Many of those participating wore yellow felt stars on their chests. Bell said these stars symbolize two things-- unity and the stars that the Jews in occupied Europe were forced to wear. "When Norway came under Nazi occupation," Bell said, "the King of Norway proclaimed that everyone should wear the yellow star to promote unity. "We invite non-Jewish students to remember [the Holocaust] by wearing the yellow star also," he added. College junior Chad Haller informed the candle-illuminated faces before him that there is a new enemy in our generation. "This time [the enemy] is not just ignorance, nor is it those that deny that the Holocaust ever existed," he said. "With this new generation comes a wave of indifference. "We cannot let [the Holocaust] become ancient history," Haller added. Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta brought a similar message. "You are probably the last generation to have physical contact with survivors," he said. Moneta referred to his own parents, who he said are among the last remaining survivors of the Holocaust. "It is your responsibility to make sure everyone knows what happened," Moneta said. College sophomore Leora Klein agreed that remembering the tragedy is important. "It is imperative for all of us to remember what happened -- regardless of our race, creed, religion or gender," she said. "[The Holocaust] was a crime against humanity, but to forget it is an even greater crime."

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