Yom HaShoah

is May 2nd, it’s the day set aside by Jews to remember the victims of the Holocaust. On Monday ( 4/28 ) the California Legislature passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution 83, recognizing this week as Holocaust Memorial Week and urged all Californians to reflect on the Holocaust, those whose lives were lost in it, honoring those who survived it, and committing ourselves to meaningfully acting to insure it never happens again…

It was a lovely ceremony with stirring speeches and calls for action. The Chamber full of Holocaust survivors who have made California their home. The phrase “never forget” was said multiple times.

Yet, as they spoke, and I type this, thousands are being killed. In Darfur, Rwanda, Tibet, Ukraine ,aamongIndigenous populations around the globe. While we remember the horrors that were what are we doing to prevent those occurring today? Why do we turn a blind eye to the suffering of our fellow humans? The United States has more than once been referred to as a City upon the Hill, a beacon to the rest of the world, it seems though that we shine too bright, and cannot see the rest of the world dazzled as we our with ourselves.

I’m not writing this to be pessimistic, the pessimist has already given up, he mentions atrocities and pain only to confirm and justify his inaction. No, I mention this so that while we remember we might consider how we can prevent. I alone cannot do anything to stop the genocides across the world. I am small and powerless while potentates and Great Nations do as they please. But, I can be a small light. With my actions, small as they may be, I can make a statement one that I can share with my friends and family in the hopes that through my example they will be inspired to make small changes in their lives. I don’t flatter myself in thinking that my small ripple will ever become a wave. My stand is only a testament to myself, a single finger pointing and loudly declaring that “This is Wrong.”