Ceremonies will commemorate Armenian, Jewish holocausts

Two separate events in Spokane will remember the injustice and mass killings committed against two groups of people – the Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire during World War I and the Jews who lived in Nazi Germany during World War II.

More than 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered by the Turks during the final days of the Ottoman Empire. Many more were forced into exile. Those atrocities will be on people’s minds Monday as communities throughout the world observe the Armenian Day of Remembrance.

In Spokane, dozens are expected to gather at St. Gregorios Syrian Orthodox Church of India for the “Armenian Holocaust Memorial,” a prayer service and presentation on the genocide that took place in 1915.

Organized by the young adult group at St. Gregorios and members of Spokane’s Armenian community, the hour-long gathering will be held 6 p.m. at the church, 2803 N. Lincoln. It will be followed by a meal at the Ararat Armenian Restaurant, 2901 N. Division. For more information, call St. Gregorios at (509) 325-6432.

On Tuesday, Jews and many others will come together at Temple Beth Shalom to observe Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day.

To recognize the 60th anniversary of the international military tribunal at Nuremberg, Germany, this year’s theme is “Let There Be Light Again: Sixty Years After Nuremberg.” The 7 p.m. gathering will retell the story of the Holocaust, which led to the murder of more than 6 million Jews, as well as discuss atrocities of today.

The event will include music, readings, survivors’ reflections and a memorial candle lighting. George Critchlow, an associate professor at Gonzaga School of Law and founding member and former director of the Gonzaga Institute for Action Against Hate, will deliver the keynote address.

Temple Beth Shalom is located at 1322 E. 30th Ave. For more information, call Dr. Hershel Zellman at (509) 536-7745, or Susan LaRue at (509) 533-0163.