Mumbai Jews to observe Holocaust Day on Thursday

The Jewish community in the city will observe Holocaust Day on Thursday. About six million Jews died in Nazi-sponsored genocide during the Second World War.

"We will be having a prayer service that will be attended by a number of Jews, other community representatives and also consul generals of various nations. The prayer service will be followed by a documentary about a holocaust survivor Eva Kor, who is now 80 years old," said Solomon Sopher, trustee of the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue near Jehangir Art Gallery.

Holocaust day actually falls due on Wednesday, going by the Jewish Calender. But as the day begins after sunset as per the Jewish calendar, it will be too late to hold the ceremonies on Wednesday. That is why the observance is carried forward to the next date.

Jews make it a point not to hold any kind of celebrations during the observance of Holocaust Day. "We do not even have non-vegetarian food. This day is important not only for prayers (for the deceased) but also to mark (the hope that) something like this never happens again in the world. People speak of peace. No festivity is observed and people do not have wine. In places like Israel, a siren brings the entire country to a standstill for some time," said Yael Jhirad, another member of the community.