2021 Holocaust Days of Remembrance

1.  For 2021, the Holocaust Days of Remembrance are from 4 through 11 April with the observation of Holocaust Remembrance Day taking place on 8 April.  In Hebrew, Holocaust Remembrance Day translates as, "Yom Ha Shoah."  The 2021 observance theme for the Marine Corps is:  "Rescue."<br>
2.  The genocide now known as the Holocaust occurred between 1933 and 1945.  It was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of 6 million Jews by the Socialist German Workers' Party (commonly known as the Nazis) and their collaborators.  The Nazis murdered millions of individuals whom they considered politically hostile, racially inferior, or socially unfit.<br>
3.  Despite the dangerous ideology permeating every aspect of life across Germany, there were citizens who risked their own lives to help those under persecution.  They were the rescuers.  The rescuers were those individuals who devotedly helped members of persecuted groups during the Holocaust.  Although statistically small in number, thousands of people survived the Holocaust because of these brave individuals.<br>
4.  The Kindertransport, from the German meaning, "Children's Transport," was a British organized rescue effort that took place during the nine months prior to the outbreak of World War II.  This program saved over 10,000 children from Nazi Germany and German occupied countries by relocating the children to Great Britain.  Jewish and non-Jewish organizations such as B'nai B'rith, The Refugee Children's Movement, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Society of Friends (the Quakers), the Chief Rabbi's, and others sponsored the movement.<br>
5.  During this observance week, commanders are encouraged to observe the Days of Remembrance through online initiatives and to support opportunities to introduce and critically discuss the Holocaust and related topics such as the prevention of genocide, the protection of all human life, the preservation of diverse cultures, and the law of war.  Commanders are encouraged to sponsor online programs integrating the video entitled, "Rescue: Voices of Rescue from the Holocaust" per Reference D (https:(slash)(slash)www.ushmm.org/remember/days-of-remembrance/resources/commemoration-themes), and to promote remote participation in observance events within their commands and across their local communities where onsite activities are not feasible during COVID-19 restrictions.<br>
6.  Release authorized by BGen J. G. Woodworth, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.