Shoah Week –Honouring their Memories A Message From Cantor Leslie Emery

Each year as the month of Nisan approaches, we prepare for Passover, however there is another more somber observance we also prepare for at Shaarey Zedek, Yom HaShoah. Yom HaShoah takes place seven days following Passover and a week before Yom Hazikaron (the day we honour the memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers). Beginning in the early 1960’s in Israel, a siren on Yom Hashoah sounded, stopping pedestrians and traffic for two minutes of devotion and remembrance. The siren sounds at sundown and again at 11:00 am the following morning. Here in the diaspora we too honour the memory of those whose lives were cut abruptly short in the Shoah and Congregation Shaarey Zedek has two meaningful offerings for the community that will take place during Shoah Week this year.

The central value of remembering is key in Judaism and honouring such a staggering loss is a devastating and meaningful undertaking. This year we will gather on April 16th to read Megillat HaShoah, the scroll we read to remember and honour the memories of those who walked through some of the darkest days imaginable. It is my honour to help give voice to the voiceless and sing music from that time, highlighting another facet of the staggering losses from that chapter in history.

Our congregation cares for a Torah scroll that survived the Shoah. You may have seen it during the observance of Yizkor when it is held lovingly as we recite the El Malei Rachamim, the memorial prayer in memory of the six million Jewish lives that were lost. As Cantor of our congregation I have been researching the roots of our Torah scrolls including this particular scroll. The very first time I opened it, I was astounded by the beauty of the letters. I immediately recognized that the scroll we care for contains something very special, Otiot Meshunot, distinctive letters, represented by the scribing tradition contained within the scroll. The tradition of scribing in this manner and the meaning of the letters themselves, was one of many worlds lost in the Shoah. It is staggering to think about. It is my intention to continue loving this Torah scroll, learning from it and studying it’s mysteries, as my part in honouring those whose lives were lost.

The Shoah Scroll we care for came to us through the Lazareck family, through the meaningful work done by Anna Lazareck Z”L, connecting our community here in Winnipeg to the Jewish communities lost in the Shoah in Bohemia and Moravia.

The scroll we care for is on permanent loan through the Memorial Scrolls Trust in London, England and was entrusted to our congregation in 1981. It has seen some difficult times, which can be observed through it’s weathered parchment, attempts at repairing damaged areas and entire panels replaced at some point in it’s history. It represents a community that was lost and a scribing tradition that is full of beautiful mysteries. Most importantly, the scroll itself is a survivor, here for us to care for and learn from. With the help of a huge act of kindness by photographer Keith Levit, we have been able to photograph the entire scroll so we can study it’s mysteries and learn from them.

There happen to be two scrolls in Winnipeg that arrived through the incredible work of the Memorial Scrolls Trust. They currently reside in the same ark at Temple Shalom. On April 20th I hope you will join us as we come together as two congregations under one roof, along with the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada for a unique opportunity to learn more of their history and their story of survival.

My hope is that through writing this article, you will take a moment to pause in memory of the Six Million Jewish lives lost in the Shoah sometime over the week that follows Pesach and find a meaningful way to honour their memories. Adopt a memory through One More Candle, an incredible organization begun by Jacquie Seipp here in Winnipeg, that seeks to have each of the 1.5 Million Jewish Children who were murdered in the Shoah remembered by name. Come to our Yom HaShoah Commemoration, or be present for our partnership with Temple Shalom and the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada. Light a candle. Remember.

Wishing you all a meaningful Pesach.